Williamsburg, KY - The #9 Patriots faced #3 Georgia Gwinnet College in the first game of a three-game series, where a pitchers' duel was diminished by a two-run blast from Carly Oliver. Cumberlands takes game one from GGC with a 2-0 victory, raising UC to an overall record of 15-4 on the season.

PLAY-BY-PLAY
Through the second inning, both teams were battling tough pitching and saw strong defensive efforts. Pitcher Talli Burgess served up back-to-back three-up, three-down innings to keep the Grizzlies at bay. In the top of the third, GGC recorded their first hit, but Burgess' was relentless and closed the inning for the Pats.

The Patriots were working hard on offense, putting the ball in play off one of the best pitchers in the country. UC continued to make solid contact but were struggling to find a gap to gain a base runner. In the top of the fifth inning, GGC threatened to score a run on a leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt. But a well-played fly ball to Kaysee Dale paired with a clutch strikeout from Burgess ended the inning.

UC saw their first hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth with a double roped down the left field line from Amber Atkins. Strong efforts saw the Pats put the ball in play but were unable to score the runner. An electric sixth inning was sparked by a leadoff double to right field from Aniyah White. With speed on second, Dale moved White to the corner on a sacrifice bunt. With one out and a runner on third, Oliver steps up to the plate and blasts a two-run bomb to ultimately walk it off for the Pats.

The Grizzlies threatened to score in the top of the seventh, but Burgess was unstoppable as she threw a complete game and limited GGC to only five hits to secure the 2-0 victory.

LEADERS
Oliver led the way offensively, going 1-3 with two RBIs and one run. Atkins and White both tallied a hit apiece.

Pitcher Burgess tossed a complete game, only allowing five hits and recording one strikeout. She faced 25 batters, serving up 13 fly balls and six ground balls.

The Patriots will remain inside the UC Softball Complex to conclude the three-game series against #3 Georgia Gwinnett College on Friday, March 8th. Game times are slated for 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

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