Bowling Green, KY – The top-seeded Patriots (42-8, 16-2) opened the Mid-South Conference Tournament with a 22-6 run-rule victory over seventh-seeded Lindsey Wilson (9-38, 3-15) on Wednesday at Bowling Green Ballpark. Cumberlands outhit the Blue Raiders 19-9 while notching a pair of home runs and five doubles in the process.
At the plate, Alec Gonzalez finished the game 3-for-5 with two doubles and a game-high five runs batted in. Caden Petrey batted 3-for-4, collecting a home run with three RBI's. Edwin Martinez also had three hits in five at-bats with a double and two-RBI's. Christian Thompson went 3-for-3 with a double and two walks.
On the mound, right-hander Knicko Billings got the start for UC. Billings pitched 3.2 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits with one strikeout. Jake Kmiecik entered in relief in the top of the fourth and was impressive. The senior struck out three of the first four batters he faced and went on to pitch the final three innings to pick up his fifth win of the season.
The Pats made a statement right away in this one with 11 runs on seven hits in the bottom of the first inning. Thompson singled to lead off the inning, followed by a Charlie Muniz walk to put the first two hitters on base. Derick Andiarena got the scoring started with an RBI-single up the middle to score Thompson. Next at-bat, Max Harper hit an RBI-single to center field to bring in Zamaurion Hatcher who came in to pinch run for Muniz. Following a Pedro Vasquez hit by a pitch to load the bases, Gonzalez doubled down the left field line to drive in three more runs for a quick 5-0 lead. Edwin Martinez kept the line moving by reaching on an error for an RBI to make it 6-0. A couple of batters later, Muniz was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score another run. The score was 8-0 after Andiarena did his job with an RBI-sacrifice fly to center field. Harper capped off the inning with a three-run home run to left center, extending the lead to 11-0.
Lindsey Wilson responded right away with two runs in the top of the second inning, making it an 11-2 ballgame.
After a scoreless third frame, the Blue Raiders scored four more runs in the fourth to cut the deficit to11-6.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Cumberlands brought in two runs to extend their lead to 13-6. Martinez led off the inning with a double and then advanced to third on the next at-bat. Next at-bat, Petrey hit an RBI-single to center to score Martinez from third. Andiarena drove in a run on a fielder's choice.
The UC bats came alive again in the bottom of the sixth with a nine-spot to cement the 22-6 win. After the first out was recorded, back-to-back singles from Gonzalez and Martinez put runners on first and third. Prokes followed with an RBI-sacrifice fly to plate Gonzalez. Next at-bat, Petrey delivered a two-run home to increase the lead, 16-6. Andiarena continued his hot bat at the plate with a two-RBI double to left center. Vasquez extended the lead to 19-6 with an RBI-single to center field. Gonzalez ended his monster game at the plate with a two-RBI double down the left field line. Martinez brought in the final run of the game on an RBI-single to right center.
The Patriots are set to play in game six of the Mid-South Conference Tournament at 2:30 p.m. CT against the loser of the Freed-Hardeman/Bethel (Tenn.) game.
For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics. Please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on Twitter- @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameday, Instagram- @UCPatriots, TikTok- @ucpatriots, Youtube- Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.
