Williamsburg, KY – The one-seeded Cumberland Patriots advance in the winner's bracket of the 2024 NAIA Softball Opening Round after facing fifth-seeded St. Francis University (IL). The Patriots took down the Fighting Saints courtesy of two homeruns from senior Carly Oliver. Alongside Oliver, the Patriots pitching staff recorded two strikeouts and held the Fighting Saints to one run on the day. UC improves to an overall record of 45-7 on the year.

PLAY-BY-PLAY
Senior Lindsey Shope was dubbed the start in the circle for the Patriots, serving up routine plays for Emily Bryant and Bailey Turnbow to mark a quick one, two, three inning. In the Patriots first time on offense, it only took Carly Oliver three pitches to blast a leadoff, solo homerun deep over the leftfield fence to put the Patriots on the board first, 1-0. Amber Gainer displayed a disciplined plate approach to garner a walk before swiping second. With a runner in scoring position, a rip through the 5-6 hole from Makenzie Keatts brings Amber Gainer around, giving Cumberlands a 2-0 advantage.

Entering the second frame, the Fighting Saints recorded their first hit of the game but was no match for a strong Patriots' defense. Back at the plate, the Pats worked to put the ball in play but were unable to muster a baserunner. The third frame saw the Fighting Saints threaten with runners on the corner, but a leaping grab from pitcher Shope ends the threat and sends UC back on offense. The bottom of the third saw Oliver record her second leadoff, solo shot of the day to elevate the Pats lead to 3-0.

In the fourth inning, Shope was seen recording her first strikeout of the game as she retires the side in dominating fashion. Back at the plate, the bottom of the fourth saw Bryant with a single to left field but the Patriots were unable to capitalize. With a 3-0 lead at the top of the fifth, both teams were quiet on offense and were unable to tack any runs on. In the top of the sixth, senior Talli Burgess entered the circle to relieve Shope. Burgess went to work and recorded a groundout and a strikeout before a defensive error saw the Fighting Saints tack on their lone run of the game. The bottom of the sixth saw Keatts garner a walk, but the Patriots could not add to their lead.

Only needing three outs, the Fighting Saints were relentless with a leadoff single to threaten with a base runner. An electric double play saw a line drive to Oliver leading to the pick off at first base with Bailey Turnbow to advance the Patriots in the winner's bracket of the 2024 NAIA Softball Opening Round!

LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Oliver was 2-3 at the plate with two homeruns, two RBIs, and two runs. Keatts was 1-2 at the plate with one RBI while Bryant also recorded a hit. Amber Gainer drew two walks with disciplined plate approaches.

Pitcher Shope recorded her 16th win of the season after throwing five innings and recording one strikeout. Pitcher Burgess recorded her fifth save of the season after throwing two innings and recording one strikeout.

One-seeded Cumberlands will face off against the two-seeded Benedictine Ravens tomorrow, May 14, at 12:30 p.m. (EST) inside the UC Softball Complex in Williamsburg, KY.