Lebanon, TN – The sixth-ranked Patriots secured their second consecutive Mid-South Conference sweep after collecting two run-rule victories over Cumberland University. This is the 11th run-rule victory the Patriots have recorded this season.

In today's doubleheader, the offense tallied 16 runs on 19 hits while the pitching staff recorded five strikeouts and only allowed four hits in total. UC rises to an overall record of 26-4 and sits at an 8-0 record in MSC play.

GAME ONE: PATRIOTS TAME THE PHOENIX, 8-0
Cumberlands was first to strike, starting with a leadoff double to right center from Carly Oliver. An Amber Gainer hit by pitch and Makenzie Keatts single to second base quickly loaded the bases. Amber Atkins recorded her 21st and 22nd RBI of the season with a single through the 5-6 hole to put the Pats up 2-0. An Emily Bryant RBI single up the middle tacked on the third run, giving the Patriots a 3-0 lead headed into the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the first, pitcher Morgan Radford made her return to the field with her first start since the Pats face Mobile University. Morgan Radford did not miss a beat, recording a quick one, two, three inning to send the Pats back on offense.

In the top of the second, Kaysee Dale notched a leadoff single and swiped second but was unable to move around the bases. Pitcher Morgan Radford returned to the mound, recording a pair of fly balls and a ground out for another quick inning. Cumberlands were eager to add to their lead, so Keatts sparked the third inning with a single to left field. Another Atkins single moved runners to first and second, followed by Aniyah White reaching base due to a defensive error. With the bases loaded, Alyssa Gent stepped up in a pinch-hit situation and put the ball in play, forcing the defense to work. Gent sent two runs across the plate to increase the Patriots lead to 5-0.

The Phoenix were looking to record their first hit of the day, but Morgan Radford with the Pats defense behind her left them hitless through the third. An exciting fourth inning started with Amber Gainer showcasing her speed and beating out a well-executed bunt to third base. A trio of defensive errors from the Phoenix allowed the Pats to push across two more runs, elevating UC to a 7-0 lead at the end of the fourth.

Morgan Radford remained in the circle for Cumberlands and continued to handle business. She recorded her only two strikeouts of the day on back-to-back hitters paired with a fly ball to shut the door on the Phoenix. The fifth inning saw the Phoenix score their lone two hits of the game, but the Pats defense held them at bay and prevented them from scoring a run. Heading into the top of the sixth with a seven run lead, a Keatts hit-by-pitch and Atkins single up the middle put runners aboard. Bailey Turnbow put a hard ball in play and caused a defensive error, seeing the Patriots push across the eight run to raise their lead. The bottom of the sixth saw Morgan Radford and Lindsey Shope tag team the inning to slam the door on the Phoenix and secure the run-rule victory.

LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Atkins was 3-4 at the plate with three RBIs followed by Keatts who was 2-3 at the plate and tallied four runs. Oliver, Dale, Bryant, and Amber Gainer each tallied a hit apiece.

Pitcher Morgan Radford collected her fourth win of the season after tossing 5.2 innings, recording two strikeouts, and only allowing two hits.

GAME TWO: PATRIOTS OVERCOME PITCHERS DUEL AGAINST PHOENIX, 8-0
In the final game of the series, the Patriots and the Phoenix went head-to-head in a pitcher's duel. For the Patriots, pitcher Burgess was awarded the start. In the top of the second, UC recorded their first two hits of the day. A walk from Turnbow sparked the inning followed by a pair of singles from Bryant and White. A play at the plate for the Phoenix prevented the Pats from putting their first run on the board and sent the game into the bottom of the second. Both pitchers continued to deck it out through the fourth inning, until the Patriots offense took off.

In the fourth inning, a trio of singles from Keatts, Atkins, and Turnbow loaded the bases for Bryant. Bryant obliterated a grand slam over the left field fence to put the Patriots on the board, 4-0. The Phoenix were rattled and made another pair of defensive errors, which allowed Dale to reach first. An Oliver double to left field saw Dale cross the plate to tack on another run, 5-0. Amber Gainer carried the momentum with a drive to center field, sending Oliver across home plate for a 6-0 lead at the end of the fourth. After an electric offensive inning, Burgess continued to handle business in the circle and recorded a three-up, three-down inning.

Back on offense, the Patriots were looking to garner insurance runs in hopes of a run-rule victory. Initiating the inning, Keatts started things off with a double to right field. Atkins stepped up to the plate and smashed a two-run shot of her own to give the Patriots an 8-0 edge over the Phoenix. A pair of walks from Bryant and White put runners on first and second, but UC was unable to garner another run. Burgess shut the door on the Phoenix in the bottom of the fifth with a strikeout, ground out, and fly out to secure the 11th run-rule victory of the season for the Patriots.

LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Keatts was 2-3 at the plate with two runs followed by Atkins who also went 2-3 with two RBIs and one run. Bryant was perfect at the plate, going 2-2, tallying four RBIs and one run while Oliver was 1-3 at the plate with one RBI and one run.

Pitcher Burgess recorded her ninth win of the season after tossing a complete game, recording three strikeouts and only allowing two hits.

Cumberlands will be back in action on Thursday, March 28 with a non-conference double header against Union College. Game times are slated for 3:00 p.m. (EST) and 5:00 p.m. (EST).

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