Bowling Green, KY – The top-seeded Patriots picked up their second win of the Mid-South Conference Tournament on Thursday afternoon to remain in the winner's bracket, defeating fourth-seeded Bethel (Tenn.), 8-4. Kailen Hamson shined on the mound while the offense collected eight runs on nine hits.
Hamson, the MSC Pitcher of the Year, picked up right where he left off in the regular season and improved his record to 11-0 with the win. The left-hander pitched 7.1 scoreless innings, allowing just five hits and one walk with 11 strikeouts. Ben Rohrbach entered in relief and allowed four runs across 1.1 innings of work. JD Price recorded the final out of the game to collect his eighth save of the year.
At the plate, Derick Andiarena led the way with a 2-for-4 performance, notching a home run, double, and three RBI's. Max Harper batted 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI.
The Patriots got the scoring started with a run in the top of the first to grab a 1-0 lead. After the first two outs of the inning were recorded, Andiarena drew a walk before Harper doubled down the left field line to put two runners into scoring position. Pedro Vasquez drove in Andiarena on an infield single to the shortstop.
In the top of the second inning, the Pats extended the lead to 5-0. With one out, Trent Prokes singled to left field to reach base. One batter later, Chirstian Thompson walked to put two runners on base. Both Thompson and Prokes moved up a base on a wild pitch as Charlie Muniz walked to load the bases. Next at-bat, UC plated three runs as Andiarena reached on an error by the Wildcats shortstop.
After four scoreless frames, UC added to its lead with two runs in the top of the seventh courtesy of an Andiarena two-run homer to left field, making it a 7-0 ballgame.
Andiarena wasn't finished as he hit an RBI-double down the left field line to bring in another run in the top of the ninth, giving the Pats an 8-0 lead.
In the bottom of the frame, Bethel would finally get on the board with four runs to cut the deficit to 8-4. With the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate, JD Price came in to record the final out of the ballgame and send UC to the semifinals.
No. 8 UC will continue to play in the winner's bracket of the Mid-South Conference Tournament on Friday May 2nd against the winner of the Cumberland University/Freed-Hardeman game, at 9:30 a.m. CT.
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