Bowling Green, KY – The fourth-ranked Patriots competed in their first game of the Mid-South Conference Tournament against MSC foe, Lindsey Wilson College. The Mid-South Conference Tournament is being held at South Warren High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky starting Wednesday, May 1 and running through Sunday, May 5.

A late offensive burst from the Patriots led them to record 10 runs on 11 hits, seeing the pitching staff record two strikeouts and holding the Blue Raiders to three runs. With the win, UC advances in the winner's bracket portion of the Tournament. 

PLAY-BY-PLAY

In the first inning, the Blue Raiders recorded the first hit of the game but were held scoreless courtesy of pitcher Lindsey Shope with the Patriots' defense behind her. On offense, the Pats put hard hits in play but were unable to garner a base runner. The top of the second saw the Blue Raiders strike with their second hit of the game but were held scoreless. The bottom of the second featured Cumberlands with a leadoff rip to third base from Amber Atkins, resulting in her safely reaching first. Following Atkins, Emily Bryant attacks early in her count to blast a two-run shot to center field, seeing her tie the Patriots Career Home Run Record (24). 

With a 2-0 lead for the Patriots, the Blue Raiders worked quickly to record three runs on three hits and steal the lead, 3-2. With ease, the Pats led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo shot from Jade Gainer to even the playing field. Makenzie Keatts joins the party with a single down the left field line paired with an RBI single from Bailey Turnbow to recapture the Pats lead, 4-3. Back on defense, relief pitcher Morgan Radford recorded a pair of groundouts and a strikeout to retire the Blue Raider side and send UC back to the plate. 

The bottom of the fifth was sparked by a Kaysee Dale walk followed by a Carly Oliver double to the right centerfield gap. A clutch RBI single from Jade Gainer tacked on another run to the Pats lead paired with a well-executed squeeze bunt for a single from Keatts to elevate UC to a 5-3 lead. With runners on first and second, Atkins blasts a three-run shot to left field to silence the Blue Raiders and cap the score at 9-3 after the fifth frame. 

The sixth inning saw the Blue Raiders go down in order with an infield pop-up and a double play to end the top half of the inning. With another chance to add to their lead, Cumberlands initiated the bottom of the sixth with an Aniyah White leadoff walk. A Dale single to center paired with an RBI double from Oliver to left field saw the Pats with a 10-3 advantage at the end of the sixth frame. The Blue Raiders had one last opportunity to cut the deficit, but a strong outing from the Patriots shut the door and secured the 10-3 victory.

LEADERS

Leading the way offensively, Atkins was 2-3 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs while Jade Gainer was 2-4 with two RBIs and two runs. Oliver went 2-4 at the plate with one RBI and one run followed by Keatts who was 2-4 at the plate with one RBI and two runs. 

Pitcher Morgan Radford recorded her eighth win of the season after tossing 3.2 innings and only allowing two hits.

Cumberlands will continue their path to another MSC Tournament Title tomorrow in the winner's bracket with their second game of the tournament. The game will be at South Warren High School in Bowling Green, KY at 4:00 p.m. (CST) with the opponent to be determined. 

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