Williamsburg, KY – After trailing heading into the bottom of the eighth, the #5 Patriots scored five runs in the frame to complete the comeback win over (RV) Milligan, 9-6, on Tuesday at Doyle Buhl Stadium. Cumberlands improves to 21-5 on the season.
 
Ben Rohrbach got the start on the mound for UC, throwing 2.0 innings and allowing three runs with three strikeouts. Cooper Morgan came on in relief in the top of the third and was impressive, allowing just one run on five hits with a season-high 10 strikeouts across 5.0 innings pitched. Jame Kmiecik entered the game in the top of the eighth and was credited with his first win of the season. The right-handed pitcher pitched one inning, giving up one run while tallying a strikeout. JD Price collected his third save of the season after shutting down the Buffaloes in order in the final frame.
 
At the plate, Alec Gonzalez came up with some clutch hits, batting 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI's, and the go-ahead two-RBI single in the bottom of the eighth. Andiarena also notched three hits, hitting 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI's. Christian Thompson went 2-for-3, drawing a pair of walks and a stolen base.
 
Milligan jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with three runs on four hits in the top of the second inning.
 
UC got a run back in the bottom of the frame. Gonzalez doubled to leadoff the inning, then advanced to third on a passed ball. Edwin Martinez walked before advancing to second on a stolen base. Jose Valentin made it back-to-back walks to load the bases with nobody out. Catcher Clay Shelton brought in the first run of the game for the Pats on a groundout to make it 3-1.
 
After a scoreless third inning, the Buffaloes tacked on another run in the top of the fourth on an RBI single, extending their lead to 4-1.
 
Cumberlands was able to reduce the deficit to 4-3 with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Thompson drew a leadoff walk before stealing second to put himself into scoring position. Charlie Muniz reached first on an error by the shortstop to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Next at-bat, Andiarena hit a two-RBI double to center field, scoring Thompson. Pedro Vasquez recorded an RBI with a sacrifice fly to center field, plating Muniz from third.
 
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the game was tied at 4-4 on a Gonzalez RBI single. With two-outs, the senior stepped up to the plate and delivered his first clutch hit of the game on a single to center field.
 
Milligan was able to regain the lead in their next at-bat with two runs in the top of the eighth frame, making the score 6-4 in favor of the Buffaloes.
 
Down to their final six outs, UC was unfazed as they plated five runs in the eighth to take a 9-6 lead. After the first out of the inning was recorded, Caden Petrey walked to bring the tying run to the plate. Back-to-back singles from Thompson and Muniz plated a run. Andiarena made it three consecutive singles with an RBI-single to left, scoring Thompson and tying the game at 6-6. With two-outs once again, Gonzalez hit a two-RBI single to center field to give the Pats their first lead of the game at 8-6. Edwin Martinez followed with an RBI-double to left field to bring in the fifth run of the frame.
 
JD Price notched a three up, three down inning in the top of the ninth to pick up the save and secure the 9-6 win for UC.
 
Cumberlands will travel to New Albany, IN tomorrow to take on #16 Indiana University Southeast at 1 p.m. ET.
 
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