Lebanon, TN – The sixth-ranked Patriots hit the road this weekend for a Mid-South Conference series against Cumberland University. UC recorded a 10-0 run-rule victory in game one followed by a 15-8 victory in game two. The Pats offense recorded 25 runs on 27 hits while the pitching staff recorded 11 strikeouts on the day. UC rises to an overall record of 24-4 and an MSC record of 6-0.
GAME 1: PATRIOTS DOMINATE PHOENIX, 10-0
All season long the Patriots have done a stellar job of scoring in the first inning and today was no different. Amber Gainer was the first base runner of the game courtesy of a defensive error. A Jade Gainer single to right center saw runners in scoring position. Makenzie Keatts recorded her 24th RBI of the season to give UC a 1-0 lead at the end of the first inning. In the bottom of the first, pitcher Talli Burgess was awarded the start and recorded a ground ball, a fly ball, and strikeout to send UC back to the plate.
The top of the second was sparked by a leadoff single from Bailey Turnbow paired with an Emily Bryant single through the 5-6 hole. An Aniyah White walk loaded the bases followed by a sacrifice fly Carly Oliver to elevate the Pats to a 2-0 lead. An infield single from Amber Gainer and Jade Gainer capitalizing on defensive errors saw Cumberlands with a 4-0 lead after the top of the second. Burgess recorded back-to-back strikeouts in the bottom of the second followed by a pop fly to second base, sending the Patriots into the third inning.
Amber Atkins notched a single to right center to lead off the top of the third. Pinch runner Cloe Smith moved around the bases courtesy of Turnbow and Bryant. With two outs, White initiated the rally with an RBI infield single to put the Pats ahead 5-0. Kaysee Dale reached base by capitalizing on defensive errors, seeing White advance to second. With runners on first and second, Oliver smashed an RBI single up the middle followed by a three-run blast from Amber Gainer jumps Patriots to a 9-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third, Burgess continued to work in the circle recording two consecutive strikeouts followed by another pop fly to retire the Phoenix. The top of the fourth featured a Turnbow and White single to load the bases. A pinch-hit RBI single from Alyssa Gent saw the Patriots score their final run of game one, leading 10-0 headed into the bottom of the fourth. The Phoenix looked to tack on a run, but Morgan Radford shut the door with one, two, three strikeouts to secure a 10-0 run-rule victory.
LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Amber Gainer was 2-4 at the plate with four RBIs and two runs followed by White who was 2-2 at the plate, recording one RBI and two runs. Turnbow was 2-3 at the plate, tallying one run, followed by Oliver who was 1-3 with two RBIs and one run.
Pitcher Burgess recorded her eighth win of the season after tossing four innings and recording five strikeouts. Pitcher Morgan Radford came in for relief and recorded three strikeouts.
GAME TWO: PATRIOTS RALLY BACK AGAINST PHOENIX, 15-8
In the first inning, the Phoenix took an early 1-0 lead over the Patriots courtesy of two hits. Through the second inning, both teams were quiet on offense. The top of the third saw the tides turn for the Patriots. A single from Dale sparked the inning followed by a two-run blast from Oliver to see Cumberlands capture a 2-1 lead. Jade Gainer carried the momentum with a single to right field paired with a Keatts RBI double, elevating the Pats to a 4-1 lead. Continuing to capitalize on defensive errors, Bryant reached first and allowed another score to run, raising to a 5-1 lead at the end of the third.
The Phoenix were not backing down and scored two more runs on two hits to make the score 5-3. Back on offense, UC initiated the top of the fourth with an Oliver single to center field. Amber Gainer roped a double to left field followed by a Jade Gainer single to center field, elevating the Pats to a 6-3 lead. Keatts closed out the inning by capitalizing on errors once again, increasing the Patriots lead to 7-3. The Phoenix were relentless and were able to garner three runs on a three-run shot of their own, closing in on the Patriots 7-6.
Even though the Phoenix were relentless, the Patriots continued to tack on runs starting with a Bryant walk. A White single to shortstop and another defensive error tacked on the Pats eighth run of the game. A sacrifice fly from Oliver and a double roped down the left field line from Amber Gainer elevated UC to a 10-6 lead, closing the inning with a sacrifice fly from Keatts for an 11-6 lead. A quick one, two, three innings on defense shut down the hopes of the Phoenix. The top of the sixth featured a Turnbow single and Bryant walk to spark the inning. A fielder's choice paly and a stolen base for White recorded the Patriots 12th run of the game. A Dale walk and Oliver RBI rip up the middle tacked on the 13th run of the game for a UC 13-6 lead.
The Phoenix were able to muster a single run and their final run of the game. However, the Patriots were not done tacking on runs and saw Turnbow with a two-run blast in the top of the seventh to cap off the Patriots 15-8 victory.
LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Oliver was 3-4 at the plate with four RBIs and two runs while Jade Gainer was 3-4 at the plate with one RBI and one run. Amber Gainer went 2-5 at the plate with one RBI and two runs while Keatts was 2-4 with three RBIs and two runs.
Pitcher Kaitlyn Schofield recorded her fourth win of the season after tossing three complete innings. Pitcher Lindsey Shope recorded 2.1 innings and tallied two strikeouts while Morgan Radford tossed 1.2 innings and tallied one strikeout.
The Patriots remain in Lebanon, TN and look to secure the series against Cumberland University. Game times are slated for 1:00 p.m. (EST) and 3:00 p.m. (EST) on Sunday, March 24th.
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