Columbus, GA – The No. 4 Patriots faced off against the Owls of Oregon Tech University on the first day of the 2024 NAIA World Series, where a late sixth inning rally was ultimately not enough and faced a 2-1 loss. The Patriots were seen recording one run on six hits while the pitching staff tallied two strikeouts on the day.

PLAY-BY-PLAY
In the first inning, the Owls were the first to record a hit until a flyout to left field served up by Lindsey Shope to end the threat. In the bottom of the first, Carly Oliver leadoff the inning with a single to shortstop followed by a double to right field to place runners on second and third. The Patriots looked to execute a squeeze bunt but left two runners stranded at the end of the first. In the top of the second, the Pats recorded three quick outs to head back to the plate. Back on offense, UC continued to make contact but was unable to muster a base runner.

The third inning saw the Owls with the first two runs of the game on two hits. The bottom of the third featured a Kaysee Dale leadoff single to shortstop, but the Patriots were unable to move her around, leaving UC to trail 2-0. Back on defense, the Pats record another one, two, three inning to retire the Owls side and return to the plate. The Patriots saw Amber Atkins with a two-out, single up the middle but was left stranded to continue trailing, 2-0. In the fifth inning, the Owls threatened with three hits and loading the bases but a clutch fly out to the centerfield ended the threat. The bottom of the fifth saw the Patriots go down in order before returning to the field.

An electric sixth inning saw UC's defense record their third three-up, three-down inning of the game to get another chance at cutting the deficit. The bottom of the sixth frame was sparked another Amber Gainer double in the right field gap followed by a two-out RBI single from Makenzie Keatts to close in on the Owls, 2-1. Atkins drew a walk, but a pair of runners were left stranded heading into the seventh frame. The Patriots quickly retired the Owls side but were unable to muster a base runner and ultimately fell short, 2-1.

LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, Amber Gainer went 2-3 at the plate with one RBI while Oliver, Keatts, Dale, and Atkins recorded one hit apiece.

Cumberlands looks to fight their way through the loser's bracket, starting with a 10:00 a.m. (EST) first pitch against Georgia Gwinnett College. The Patriots will remain inside the South Commons Complex in Columbus, GA.

For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics. Please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on Twitter- @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameday, Instagram- @UCPatriots, TikTok- @ucpatriots, Youtube- Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.