Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots started MSC play with a win for the fifth straight season as they defeated RV Freed-Hardeman University 2-0 at home on Thursday night. UC move to 14-6 on the season and are now 1-0 in the Mid-South.
Lindsey Shope was dominant in the circle for the Pats, throwing her sixth complete game and third shutout of the season to move to 6-2 overall. The senior gave up just two hits to the Lions and struck out a pair of batters as well. UC's offense compiled six hits for two runs, led by Emma McDonald who went 2-4 in the two-hole with a run scored. Maliyah Wilkins added a 1-2 performance with an RBI while Carly Oliver hit her ninth double of the season.
After a quick top half, the Patriots jumped on top of the Lions early. McDonald legged out an infield single and stole second the next batter to move into scoring position. Oliver drew a walk just after, and advanced on a fielder's choice which saw McDonald get forced out at third. Wilkins responded with a single to center field, scoring Oliver from second for the first run of the game.
Shope continued to keep the Lions offense at bay, while the Pats threatened multiple times over the next three innings but could not score a run. Oliver added a double in the third followed by a walk from Wilkins, however the duo were stranded on base.
Shope battled out of a jam in the fourth that saw runners on the corners before a pair of grounders got UC out of the inning with no damage dealt. Marquila Howell and Amber Gainer singled in the bottom of the fourth, but the threat was shut down after the Lions tagged Howell out as she was trying to take third.
UC continued to apply pressure in the fifth as McDonald led off the inning with her second hit of the ballgame. She moved to second after a walk from Oliver, then both runners advanced off a sacrifice bunt from Jade Gainer. Bailey Turnbow loaded the bases after drawing a walk. A wild pitch from the Lions then allowed McDonald to slide into home for the second run of the game. This would prove to be enough as Shope came back out for a three-up-three-down sixth inning and completed the shutout in the seventh with three straight outs to take the conference victory.
The Patriots will return to the UC Softball Complex tomorrow for the final two games of their series with RV FHU. First pitch tomorrow is scheduled for 12 PM ET, with game two following after the conclusion of the first.
For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on X - @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameday, Instagram- @UCPatriots, TikTok- @ucpatriots, YouTube- Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.
