Lewiston, ID – The #7 seed Patriots (50-12) concluded another memorable season, posting a 2-2 record at the 2025 Avista NAIA World Series after falling to #4 Hope International (48-9) for the second time in the tournament, 9-7, on Tuesday afternoon at Harris Field. UC jumped out to a 7-1 lead after two innings of play before the Royals scored eight unanswered runs to move on.
Offensively, Charlie Muniz led the way in his final collegiate game, batting 1-for-4 with a home run and a team-high three RBI's. Outfielder, Trent Prokes, hit 2-for-2 with a double, two walks, and a run batted in. Caden Petrey went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
On the mound, Nolan Wilson got the ball for the Pats. The junior was strong, pitching 6.1 innings and allowing just three runs on six hits with two strikeouts. Knicko Billings came on in relief and was credited with the loss. Billings gave up five runs on two hits with four strikeouts across 1.2 innings of work. JD Price pitched the final frame for Cumberlands, allowing one run on one hit and a strikeout.
Hope International grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning.
UC responded in a big way in the bottom of the frame. Max Harper singled up the middle to lead off the inning. One batter later, Pedro Vasquez was walked, and Edwin Martinez was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Trent Prokes continued his hot hitting at the World Series by delivering a two-RBI single to put the Pats on the board and in front, 2-1. Next at-bat, Petrey hit an RBI-single of his own to make it 3-1. The train kept moving as Christian Thompson made it three consecutive base hits with an RBI-single to right field, scoring Prokes from second and extending the lead to 4-1. Following a pitching change, Charlie Muniz notched a three-run homer to left center, belting his 36th of the season to tie his own record from last season and cap off a seven-run inning for the Pats.
The Royals would start chipping away from that point on. In the top of the fourth inning, Hope International cut the deficit to 7-3 with two runs on two hits.
After three scoreless frames, the Royals scored five runs on two hits to take an 8-7 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth.
UC looked to respond as a Prokes double off the wall and Thompson hit by pitch put two runners on with two outs and Muniz stepping up the plate. After a long battle, Royals pitcher, Chaz McWilliams was able to record a strikeout to leave the runners stranded.
Cumberlands couldn't seem to find an answer for McWilliams as he pitched seven scoreless innings and allowed just three hits to get the victory.
In the bottom of the ninth, Andiarena singled to lead off the inning, but UC was unable to take advantage and fell 9-7.
The Patriots conclude an incredible year on the field with a second consecutive 50-win season, third consecutive MSC Regular Season title, and third consecutive trip to the NAIA World Series. Cumberlands is slated to have a strong core returning for the 2026 season.
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