Bowling Green, KY – The No. 1 seed Patriots split two games against #2 seed Cumberland University, falling in the Mid-South Conference Tournament Championship winner take all game on Sunday afternoon. UC opened the day with a come-from-behind 5-3 victory to force the if necessary game in the double elimination format, before eventually falling to the Phoenix 12-6 in game two.
No. 8 Cumberlands Rallies Late to Defeat (RV) Cumberland University, 5-3
Right-handed pitcher, Nolan Wilson, got the start and was strong for the Pats. Wilson threw four innings, allowing just two runs on five hits with five strikeouts against a tough Phoenix offense. JD Price came on in relief and was spectacular, pitching five innings while giving up just one run and five strikeouts, earning his second win of the season.
At the plate, Charlie Muniz led the way with a 2-for-4 performance, including a three-run home run. Alec Gonzalez batted 1-for-3 with an RBI and Caden Petrey went 2-for-3 with a double.
Like the first meeting in the tournament, UC jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. The Patriots scored two runs on two hits in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Muniz singled to right center followed by Andiarena reaching base on a fielder's choice. One batter later, Gonzalez hit a two-RBI single to left field, putting the Pats on the board first.
Cumberland University responded right away in the top of the second inning with two runs to even the score at 2-2.
After three scoreless frames, the Phoenix got their first lead of the game at 3-2 with a solo home run in the top of the sixth.
Down to their final six outs in the bottom of the eighth, UC needed to generate something offensively. After the first out of the inning was recorded, back-to-back singles from Caden Petrey and Christian Thompson put two runners on base. Next at-bat, Muniz did what he does best with a clutch three-run homer to right field, giving the Pats a 5-3 lead heading into the final frame.
In the top of the ninth, Price retired three of the four batters he faced to secure the win and force a winner take all championship game.
No. 8 Cumberlands Falls Short Against (RV) Cumberland University, 12-6
At the plate, Derick Andiarena batted 4-for-5 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Max Harper hit 2-for-3, recording a walk and a team-high two RBI's. Both Caden Petrey and Trent Prokes went 2-for-4 with a double.
On the mound, Knicko Billings got the ball for the second time this tournament. The senior pitched four innings, allowing five runs on eight hits with two strikeouts. Ben Rohrbach was the first to enter in relief, giving up one run in one inning of work. Jake Kmiecik (5-2) replaced Rohrbach and was credited with the loss. The Aurora, IL native allowed two runs on three hits with four strikeouts across two innings. Oliver Kerns made his first appearance of the tournament and gave up four runs in 0.2 innings pitched. Logan Wombles pitched the final out of the top of the ninth.
Cumberland University got out to the early 2-0 lead this time after one inning of play.
UC responded in the top of the third with a pair of runs to tie the game at 2-2. Caden Petrey doubled to lead off the inning, then scored on a Charlie Muniz RBI-single to center field. Next at-bat, Andiarena singled and was followed by a Max Harper RBI-sacrifice fly to even the score.
In the bottom of the frame, the Phoeniz scored two of their own to regain the lead at 4-2.
The Patriots answered right back with a run in the top of the fourth to cut the score to 4-3. Ben Snapp was hit by a pitch then Trent Prokes singled to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Petrey drove in Snapp on an RBI-ground out.
The Phoenix kept finding ways to answer the UC push as they got that run right back in the bottom of the fourth to bring the lead back up to two, 5-3.
In the top of the fifth inning, the UC offense broke through again with two more runs to tie the game at 5-5. Muniz walked to begin the frame then was pinch ran for by Zamaurion Hatcher. Andiarena followed with a single to center field to put two runners aboard. Harper then singled through the right side to plate Hatcher. Gonzalez was able to tie the game once again at 5-5 on an RBI-ground out.
The Phoenix took a 6-5 lead after scoring a run in the bottom of the frame.
After a scoreless sixth inning, Gonzalez came put big with an RBI-double down the left fied line to tie the game, 6-6.
UC was unable to stop the Phoenix from responding in the bottom half as Cumberland University scored two runs to grab an 8-6 advantage.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Phoenix were able to add four insurance runs to put this one out of reach at 12-6 to secure the victory.
The No. 8 Patriots look to play in the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round from Monday May 12th-Thursday May 15th, in Williamsburg, KY.
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