Williamsburg, KY – The fifth-ranked Patriots outscored the Midway Eagles, 26-5, on Tuesday afternoon at Doyle Buhl Stadium. Cumberlands' hitters were electric, putting up a season high of 26 runs off 24 hits and recorded the most RBIs of the season at 26. UC totaled three home runs, five doubles, and a triple.

The starting pitcher, Kailen Hamson, improves to 4-0 after throwing three strikeouts across five full innings. He allowed five runs on eight hits. Jake Kmiecik closed for UC, with two strikeouts, no runs, and no hits allowed in two innings.

Evan St. Claire led the Patriots at the plate, batting 4-for-5 with a home run, a triple, five runs scored, and a game-high of five RBIs. The designated hitter, Charlie Muñiz went 3-for-4, marking a homer, four RBIs, and three plated runs. Also hitting 3-for-4 was Caden Petrey, with three runs scored, and one RBI. Max Harper finished 2-for-3, notching a home run, five RBIS, and crossed the plate twice.

The Eagles were first on the board, with two runs in the top of one, 2-0.

Responding in the bottom of the first, the Pats put up four runs to claim a 4-2 lead. To load the bases, Christian Thompson led off with a walk, Evan St. Claire singled, and Charlie Muñiz was hit by a pitch. Max Harper brought two runners home with a single to left center. UC reloaded the bases when Johnboy Rittenhouse was issued a walk. With a single to left, Caden Petrey sent Muniz home and Harper scored on an RBI fielder's choice from Ben Snapp.

The bottom of the second frame was eventful for Cumberlands, extending their lead to 13-2 with nine runs off eight hits. St. Claire kicked the inning off with a single up the middle and advanced to third on a single from Muñiz. Harper knocked one out of the park for a three-run homer. The next two batters, Rittenhouse and Petrey were walked, and one runner scored on a double laid down by Snapp. Alec Gonzalez followed with a double to left center and sent Petrey and Snapp across the plate. With two outs back at the top of the lineup, Thompson singled to score one run and St. Claire homered to left field, plating two more.

Midway shortened the gap to 13-4 on an RBI single and a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth.

Taking the score to 16-4, UC added three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Clay Shelton singled through the right side and was substituted for pinch runner Jay Flynn, and advanced on a single hit by Thompson. St. Claire put Flynn on third with a fielder's choice and three runs crossed home on a Muñiz home run.

The Eagles scored their final run of the game on an RBI single in the top of five.

In the bottom of the same inning, the Patriots tacked on nine more runs for a score of 25-5. The frame started with back-to-back singles from Petrey and Snapp, and Gonzalez was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Shelton and Thompson were issued back-to-back RBI walks, and St. Claire brought them home on a triple to left field. With two outs, Rittenhouse doubled down the left line to reach base and was substituted for pinch runner, Seth Benner. Petrey singled through the left side, advancing Benner to third. Another double hit by Snapp plated one run, and two more went home with a double to left field by Jay Flynn, his second hit of the season.

UC added one more insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, for a final score of 26-5. Trent Prokes laid down a double and was brought home on a Jose Valentin single.

The No. 5 Patriots will face Cincinnati-Clermont in a weekend series at home, with the first game on Saturday March 23^rd at 2 p.m., in Williamsburg, KY.

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