Columbus, GA – The #4 Patriots battled through 19 hours and 27 minutes total of weather delays before they were able to complete in the quarterfinals of the elimination bracket of the 2024 NAIA Softball World Series against Oregon Tech University. Cumberlands battled through adversity and sweltering heat, but ultimately fell short against the Owls, 4-2, to end their postseason run with a top six finish. The Pats recorded two runs on five hits while the pitching staff recorded two strikeouts.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
In the first half of play on Monday, the Patriots got through the top of the third inning before suspending the game into Tuesday. During the first inning, UC recorded a quick three-up, three-down behind starting pitcher Talli Burgess to send the Pats to the plate. In their first bout of offense, UC garnered a base runner off a defensive error but was unable to send her home to keep the game scoreless at the end of the first. The top of the second saw the Owls hit the board first with two runs on four hits until a groundout to shortstop Aniyah White ended the Owls run, seeing UC trail 2-0. The bottom of the second saw Cumberlands making solid contact, but unable to find a gap and leaving them to trail 2-0. The top of the third saw the Owls with a leadoff single before the unfortunate weather delay suspended the game to Tuesday morning.
Upon first pitch on Tuesday morning, the Patriots subbed relief pitcher Kaitlyn Schofield into the game for the start of the new day. The Owls continued their offensive hot streak with another two runs on three hits to increase their lead to 4-0. An eager Pats offense sparked the bottom of the third with a leadoff White hit by pitch. Carly Oliver followed suit with a single to right centerfield to place runners on the corner. A fielder's choice play led Amber Gainer to reach first safely, seeing the Patriots with the bases loaded. Jade Gainer collected an RBI on a ball to first, seeing Cumberlands cut the deficit to 4-1. Looking to hold the Owls, UC recorded a one, two, three inning in hopes of chipping away at the deficit on offense. Back at the plate, Amber Atkins led off the bottom of the fourth with a hit by pitch paired with an Emily Bryant walk to place pinch runner Cloe Smith on second. A White single back to the pitcher loaded the bases for the Pats, but they were unable to capitalize and left them trailing 4-1 after the fourth frame.
Cumberlands continued to shut the door on the Owls offense, recording their third one, two, three inning of the game. The bottom of the fifth saw Amber Gainer drawing a walk before quickly swiping second. With a runner in scoring position, Makenzie Keatts rips a single up the middle to score Amber Gainer and cut the deficit to 4-2 at the end of the fifth frame. Back on defense, the Owls were seen recording two hits until Schofield struck out two straight to close the door and send UC back on offense. The bottom of the sixth saw White reach first on a single through the 5-6 hole paired with Dale reaching on a fielding error. With runners on first and second, Amber Gainer drew a walk to load the bases but the Pats were unable to muster another run to close the sixth inning. In the seventh, the Owls recorded a single hit but were held to four runs as the Patriots looked to walk it off. Bailey Turnbow smashed a single down the right field line, but was left stranded as Cumberlands fell short, 4-2.
LEADERS
Leading the way offensively, White was perfect at the plate going 2-2 with one run while Keatts was 1-4 at the plate with one RBI. Oliver and Turnbow both recorded a hit apiece.
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