Columbus, GA – The top-seed Cumberlands softball team had multiple strong defensive play however, fell to eighth-seed Grand View 2-0 in their first game of NAIA World Series, Friday afternoon at South Commons Complex. The Patriots move to 40-8 on the season and will face third-seed Southern Oregon on Saturday.
Lindsey Shope pitched a complete game scattering seven hits and two runs to move to 23-4 on the year.
Carly Oliver went 2-3 in the game, while
Jules Johnson,
Amber Gainer and
Emma McDonald each tallied a hit in the game.
The Patriots came out of the gates with a strong defensive effort as
Marquila Howell made a diving catch in left field for the first out of the game. Two batters later,
Bailey Turnbow snagged a line drive and stepped on first for a double play to get out of the inning.
UC threatened in bottom of the first as McDonald and Oliver tallied back-to-back hits but were stranded as the game moved to the second inning scoreless.
The Vikings plated a run in both the second and third innings, while
Aniyah White made a diving catch on a line drive to make it 2-0 as the game moved into the bottom of then third.
Amber Gainer took advantage of a fielding error and led off reaching second base. McDonald followed with a sac bunt to advance Gainer to third, however, she was stranded as Grand View was able to get out of the inning still leading 2-0.
Howell made another strong diving catch in the top of the fourth inning as Shope settled in and kept the Vikings from extending their lead.
Cumberlands was able to put runners on base in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings but key defensive plays kept Grand View in front 2-0.
In the seventh inning, the Patriots defense came up big once against as Shope induced a 1-6-3 double play to keep the game 2-0.
Amber Gainer drew a two-out walk in the bottom of the inning but Cumberlands flew out for the 2-0 final.
UC returns to the field Saturday, May 24, when they face third-seed Southern Oregon in an elimination. First pitch is set for 10 a.m.
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.
