Williamsburg, KY – The No. 6 Patriots hosted the Georgetown Tigers inside the UC Softball Complex for UC's third Mid-South series of the season. Cumberlands collected two victories (3-0, 7-0) against the Tigers to rise to an overall record of 29-4, and a conference record of 10-0. UC recorded 10 runs on 14 runs while the pitching staff recorded four strikeouts on the day and did not allow a single run.
GAME ONE: PATRIOTS EDGE PAST TIGERS, 3-0
The Patriots open the first inning with a leadoff single through the 5-6 hole from Carly Oliver. Amber Gainer hit into a fielder's choice, seeing Oliver out at second. However, Amber Gainer quickly swiped second for her 20th stolen base of the season to place herself into scoring position. A triple down the right field line from Makenzie Keatts put UC on the board 1-0 to end the first inning. The top of the second saw the Tigers record their first hit of the game. After a stolen base and a sacrifice bunt, the Tigers threaten to score put pitcher Talli Burgess serves up a routine fly ball to close out the top of the second.
Back on offense, Bailey Turnbow kicks the inning off by reaching on a defensive error from the Tigers. Emily Bryant follows with a strike to the right center field fence for a stand-up double, tacking on the Patriots second run of the game. UC is able to add another base runner, but ultimately heads into the top of the third. It was a quick three-up, three-down inning with pitcher Talli Burgess recording her first strikeout of the game. In the bottom of the third, Cumberlands was unable to muster a base runner sending them back out into the field.
The top of the fourth saw the Tigers with two runners reaching base on hits, but the Patriots stellar defense sent them into the bottom half of the inning. Back at the plate, UC saw a single to second base from Aniyah White, but were unable to add to their lead. An electric fourth inning saw another quick one, two, three inning on defense and a solo shot from Amber Gainer, her second of the year, to elevate the Pats to a 3-0 lead at the end of the fifth.
Back on defense, the Tigers were able to record a single hit in the inning, but Cumberlands' spectacular defense prevented the Tigers from scoring a run. The bottom of the sixth featured a Bryant double deep to left center field, but the Patriots were unable to muster another run across the plate. In the top of the seventh, two fly outs and a ground ball shut the Tigers down to secure the game one 3-0 victory.
LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Bryant was 2-3 at the plate with one RBI while Oliver was 1-2 at the plate. Amber Gainer went 1-2 at the plate with one RBI followed by Keatts who was 1-3 at the plate with one RBI.
Pitcher Burgess threw a complete game, securing her 10th win of the season, recording one strikeout, and only allowing four hits.
GAME TWO: PATRIOTS CURB THE TIGERS, 7-0
The Patriots started game two with a strong outing on defense, seeing stellar glove work from Oliver and pitcher Morgan Radford painting the outside corner for her first strikeout of the game. On offense, a leadoff hit by pitch for Oliver put her on first where she swiped second for her eighth stolen base of the season. With two outs, Keatts notched an RBI single through the 5-6 hole to score Oliver and give the Pats an early 1-0 lead.
Returning to the field, the Patriots recorded another one, two, three inning featuring Morgan Radford's second strikeout of the game. Cumberlands flipped the script in the bottom of the second, sparked by a leadoff single from Bryant. A beautifully executed bunt from White moved Bryant into scoring position, followed by UC adding another base runner courtesy of a walk for Dale. With runners on first and second, an Amber Gainer RBI single tacked on Cumberlands second run of the game. A passed ball opportunity saw Dale cross home, followed by another Keatts double to center for two more runs to cross, giving UC a 5-0 lead.
The top of the third inning saw the Tigers record their second hit of the game, but pitcher Morgan Radford's third strikeout of the game decorated the outside corner of the plate to send the Patriots back on offense. A leadoff walk for Turnbow saw the Patriots first base runner of the inning, immediately followed by Turnbow stealing second. A clutch RBI single through the right side from Daylee tacked on Cumberlands' sixth run of the game, sending them into the top of the fourth inning. The fourth inning saw both the Tigers and the Patriots quiet on offense. Both teams were making contact but were unable to muster any base runners. The top of the fifth saw a quick three out inning with strong defensive errors behind pitcher Morgan Radford.
The bottom of the fifth was sparked by a Bryant shot right back up the middle for a single, garnering the Patriots first base runner of the inning. Byrant stole second and advanced to third on defensive errors to place herself in scoring position. A Dale walk paired with a swiped bag advanced Bryant home, giving UC a 7-0 lead at the end of the fifth inning.
The Tigers were relentless, recording their third hit of the evening. A shallow ball to center field saw Amber Gainer with a phenomenal catch and turning the double play by throwing out the runner at first. Immediately following, Amber Gainer makes another stellar defensive play with a leaping catch into the center field fence to send the Patriots back on offense. At the plate, Jade Gainer stepped in an roped a shot to the left center field fence for a standup double where Keatts followed with a disciplined at bat to secure a walk but were unable to add another run to their lead. The Patriots closed the door on the Tigers with two fly balls and a ground out to secure the twin-bill victory over the Tigers.
LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Jade Gainer was 2-3 at the plate with one run while Keatts was 2-3 at the plate with three RBIs. Bryant follows, going 2-3 at the plate with two runs while Amber Gainer was 1-4 at the plate with one run and one RBI.
Pitcher Morgan Radford threw a complete game, recording her fifth win of the season, three strikeouts, and only allowed five hits.
Cumberlands will remain inside the UC Sports Complex tomorrow, March 30th, to conclude the series with Georgetown College. Game times are slated for 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
