Lebanon, TN - The No. 7 Patriots (41-7, 16-1) earned a split in their doubleheader against (RV) Cumberland University (32-15-1, 12-5) on Thursday afternoon. The Phoenix rallied to take game one 10-9 before Cumberlands bounced back with a 1-0 shutout in game two behind a stellar performance by Kailen Hamson on the mound.
No. 7 Cumberlands Falls to (RV) Cumberland University, 10-9
Knicko Billings got the start on the mound for game one and was strong, pitching six innings and allowing just two earned runs on five hits while striking out nine. JD Price came on in relief for the final frame, giving up six runs on three hits. Jake Kmiecik relieved Price in the bottom of the seventh.
At the plate, Caden Petrey led the Pats with a 3-for-4 performance with a home run, double, and three RBI's. Pedro Vasquez batted 3-for-4, notching a homer and two runs batted in. Clay Shelton tallied three hits as well with an RBI.
The Patriots struck first with a run in the top of the first to take a 1-0 lead. Christian Thompson singled to lead off the inning, then quickly stole second to put himself into scoring position. After the first out of the inning was recorded, Charlie Muniz reached on a fielder's choice to put runners on the corners. Next at-bat, Max Harper reached on a fielder's choice of his own to bring in the first run of the game.
Cumberland University responded right away in the bottom of the frame to tie the game at 1-1.
After a scoreless second inning, the UC offense was at it once again, courtesy of a Vasquez two-run home run to left center, his ninth of the season to give the Pats a 3-1 advantage.
Caden Petrey added a home run of his own in the top of the fourth inning, extending the lead to 4-1.
The Phoenix answered with two runs on two hits in the bottom of the fourth to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Cumberlands continued to use the long ball to their advantage as Muniz blasted a solo home run, bringing the lead back up to two, 5-3.
In the top of the seventh inning, UC put up a four spot on five hits to extend their lead to 9-3. Following the first two outs of the inning, the Pats recorded three consecutive singles to load the bases, including an RBI-single by Alec Gonzalez through the left side. One batter later, Shelton singled to center field to plate another run. Next at-bat, Petrey hit a two-RBI double to left field to plate two more.
However, it would not be enough as the Phoenix plated seven runs in the bottom of the frame to win it in walk-off fashion.
No. 7 Cumberlands Blanks (RV) Cumberland University, 1-0
Kailen Hamson was nearly unhittable on the mound for the Pats, improving to a perfect 10-0 with the win. The senior threw seven strong innings, pitching a shutout while allowing just one hit with nine strikeouts. After Ben Rohrbach was impressive in relief, giving up just two hits and striking out three to earn his first save of the season.
Pedro Vasquez finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and a run scored. Trent Prokes drove in the only run of the game with an RBI-ground out. Alec Gonzalez went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base.
It was a pitcher's duel in game two as both teams combined for nine hits. After giving up a hit to start the game, Hamson would go on to retire the next 20 batters he faced.
After three scoreless frames, the Patriots took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth. With one out, Vasquez hit an infield single, then advanced to second on a throwing error by the shortstop. Gonzalez followed with a single through the left side to put runners on the corners. Next at-bat, Prokes hit an RBI-ground out to second base, scoring Vasquez.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Phoenix were threatening with two runners on with one out. Rohrbach was able to get a fielder's choice and a fly out to end the inning and give UC the game two win.
The Patriots and Phoenix will meet again tomorrow for the final game of the regular season. The game time is yet to be decided.
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