Henderson, TN – After two weeks of long-awaited play, the No. 5 Patriots were back in action and on the road to face Freed-Hardeman for their third MSC series of the season. Cumberlands took two from the Lions,9-0 and 20-6. The Pats were seen recording 29 runs on 27 hits while the pitching staff recorded six strikeouts on the day. UC now sits at an overall record of 33-4 and a conference record of 14-0.
GAME 1: PATRIOTS SHUTOUT THE LIONS, 9-0
A leadoff walk from Carly Oliver in the top of the first set the pace for the Patriots level of play. Oliver quickly moved around the bases on a wild pitch and a past ball to place her on third. Makenzie Keatts battled through her at bat before reaching first on a hit by pitch. Cumberlands hit the scoreboard first after a three-run blast from Amber Atkins to close out the first inning. Pitcher Talli Burgess was dubbed the start and recorded two ground outs and a fly out in the bottom of the first to send UC back on offense.
The Patriots continued their offensive hot streak with back-to-back hit by pitches for Emily Bryant and Aniyah White. Kaysee Dale reached first on an error from the Lions, seeing UC with the bases loaded. A clutch three-run RBI double to the center field wall from Jade Gainer elevated the Pats lead to 6-0 at the bottom of the second. Another quick one, two, three inning from UC quickly closed out the second inning, seeing the Patriots hold a 6-0 lead.
The top of the third featured a Bailey Turnbow leadoff single down the right field line and quickly swiped second. A single from Bryant put runners on the corner before a White RBI single to second base bumped UC to a 7-0 advantage. A sacrifice fly from Oliver put the Patriots in run-rule territory with an 8-0 lead at the end of the top of the third. Burgess continued to deal in the circle along with a strong defensive outing to hold the Lions at zero runs. In the top of the fourth, Keatts blasted a solo shot of her own to record the Pats final run of the game for a 9-0 lead. The Lions continued to work at the plate, but Burgess continued to serve up routine plays for the Patriots defense. A quick fifth inning saw both teams quite on the offensive side of things, giving Cumberlands a 9-0 victory against the Lions.
LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Jade Gainer was 1-3 at the plate with three RBIs followed by Atkins who was 1-3 at the plate with three RBIs and one run. Keatts was 1-1 at the plate with one RBI and two runs while Turnbow was 1-3 at the plate with one run.
Pitcher Burgess recorded her 12th win of the season after tossing a complete game, recording two strikeouts and only allowing three hits.
GAME 2: PATRIOTS DOMINATE LIONS, 20-6
The Patriots carried their offensive hot streak into game two, seeing Oliver and Amber Gainer score on wild pitches. After taking an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first, a Keatts walk, an Atkins hit by pitch, and a Turnbow single loaded the bases. Bryant approaches the plate and blasts her second grand slam of the season to propel Cumberlands to a 6-0 lead at the end of the first inning. Through the bottom of the third inning, the Lions were persistent and were able to close in on the Patriots, 6-5.
In the top of the fourth inning, Amber Gainer showcased her speed and bunted for a single paired with a Jade Gainer single to left field. A Keatts RBI single to center field added insurance runs for the Pats, followed by a squeeze play from Turnbow to add another run to UC's lead, 8-5. To cap off the top of the fourth, Bryant smacked an RBI single into left field to see Cumberlands ahead 9-5. With the Patriots back on defense, the Lions were able to muster another run to make the score 9-6. Both teams remained quiet offensively until the Patriots were able to rally in the top of the sixth inning.
The sixth inning featured a Keatts hit by pitch with pinch runner Cloe Smith swiping second. With a runner in scoring position, Atkins smashes her second homerun of the day, this one being a two RBI shot to left center to elevate the Pats 11-6. The Patriots went back to work on defense in the bottom of the sixth and were able to hold the Lions at six runs. An electric seventh inning was sparked by a Dale single to left field and a stolen base. Dale reached third on a passed ball, seeing Oliver score her on an RBI single to center field. The Gainer's record back-to-back singles to tack on another run, making the score 13-6 in favor of Cumberlands. Keatts approaches the plate and with runners on, jacks her second blast of the day for a 16-6 lead in favor of UC. Bryant continues the rally with an RBI single along with RBI singles for Dale and Amber Gainer, seeing Cumberlands close the top of the seventh frame with a 20-6 lead. Kaityln Schofield came on in relief during the bottom of the seventh and record three-up, three-down to secure the second victory of the day over the Lions.
LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Dale was 4-5 at the plate with one RBI and two runs while Amber Gainer was 3-5 at the plate with two RBIs and three runs. Jade Gainer followed, going 3-6 at the plate with one RBI and two runs while Turnbow was 3-4 at the plate tallying one RBI and two runs.
Pitcher Lindsey Shope recorded her 12th win of the season after pitching 4.1 innings and recording three strikeouts.
The Patriots will remain in Henderson, TN tomorrow April 12, 2024, and look to sweep the MSC Series against Freed-Hardeman University. Game times are set for 12:00 p.m. (CST) and 2:00 p.m. (CST).
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