Shawnee, OK – The Patriots split their double header on the first day of the NAIA SB Invitational on Saturday. UC took down Avila 9-1 in five innings before dropping a game to #4 Southern Oregon 8-6. The Pats offense combined for 22 hits on the day, scoring 15 runs over the two-game stretch. Cumberlands move to 5-2 on the season.
Carly Oliver led the offensive charge going 6 for 7 with four doubles, a home run, and six RBI's. Maliyah Wilkins finished the day 3 for 6 with a three-run HR and four RBI's of her own. In the circle, Lindsey Shope picked up her third win of the season throwing a complete game while only allowing one run against Avila.
Pats Fly Past Eagles
UC jumped on the Eagles early as a double from Oliver put a runner in scoring position with two outs. Jade Gainer scored Oliver with a single to left field, giving UC a 1-0 lead after one. Shope kept the Eagles lineup at bay with nine straight outs over the first three innings. UC then added to their lead in the bottom half of the third. Amber Gainer started the rally getting hit by a pitch. She then jogged around the bases after Oliver sent one well over the center field fence to bring the score to 3-0. J. Gainer then drew a walk and stole second to move into scoring position. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Gainer scored off a Wilkins single to short, putting UC up 4-0 after three.
The Eagles earned their first hit of the game in the top half of the fourth, but Shope got two ground balls to get out of the inning. In the bottom half, Abby Guinn got on base after an error by the opposing short stop, advancing to second on an A. Gainer single two batters later. Carly Oliver delivered once again, with a double to left field, scoring Guinn from second.
After AU scored their first run of the game, the Pats responded with four in the fifth inning to earn the run rule victory. Wilkins led off the inning with a double before Bailey Turnbow laced a single to left field, advancing Wilkins to third. Amber Atkins then hit a single of her own to score the first run of the inning. Emma McDonald got in on the action with a single of her own, scoring Turnbow. Two batters later, Marquila Howell smoked a single to right field to score Guinn who reached base from a walk. Oliver then walked it off with a single to score McDonald, for a final score of 9-1.
UC Fall in Top-Four Matchup
The first inning was action packed on both sides as SOU scored two runs in the top half before UC added three of their own in the bottom. A. Gainer led off with a single to the SS before Howell beat out a chopper to the pitcher to put runners on first and second. Oliver delivered once again with a double of the left field wall to score both runners and tie the game at 2-2. J. Gainer then came through with a single to right field, moving Oliver to third. Gainer then stole second, drawing a throw from the catcher, allowing Oliver to break for home, giving UC the 3-2 lead.
Jessica Cord got three straight outs in the second for UC but gave up three runs in the third as SOU went up 5-3. Shope then made her second appearance of the day, giving up a hit for another run before getting two outs to get UC back in the dugout with a score of 6-3. The Patriots answered right back as Wilkins sent a three-run shot over the center field fence to tie the game once again. She scored Oliver who got walkers, and J. Gainer who singled through the left side.
The Raiders loaded the bases in the fourth, but Shope pitched her way out of it, getting a grounder to first base that Turnbow scooped up for the final out of the inning. In the bottom half, McDonald doubled to left field before A. Gainer bunted for a hit, advancing McDonald to third. However, the Pats could not take advantage of the opportunity, leaving both runners stranded.
SOU added one run in the fifth and sixth to take an 8-6 lead into the final inning of play. Oliver gave UC a glimpse of hope with a two-out double in the bottom of the seventh. J. Gainer came to the plate after, and roped a ball, but it went straight to the short stop for the final out of the game.
Cumberlands will return for the final day of the NAIA SB Invitational tomorrow where they will take on #2 USAO at 11 AM ET. They will then face Grand View who are RV in the latest Coaches Poll to round out the tournament in Oklahoma.
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