Williamsburg, KY – The Patriots opened their home slate and the 2026 season in dominant fashion on Thursday, sweeping a doubleheader against Midway at the UC Softball Complex. Cumberlands earned a pair of run-rule victories, taking game one 8-0 in five innings before closing the day with an 8-0 shutout in game two to start the season 2-0. 

Game 1: EARLY POWER, STRONG PITCHING LEAD PATS TO OPENING WIN 

Jessica Cord got the start in the circle for UC in the season opener and delivered a complete-game shutout to earn her first win of the year. Cord worked five innings, allowing just three hits while striking out four and walking two as the Pats defense backed her up throughout the contest. 

Offensively, UC scored in four of the five innings, highlighted by power in the middle of the order. Grace Ross finished with a home run and an RBI, while Emily Cole added a two-run homer in the third. Jaelyn Phillips had a big day at the plate, going 1-for-1 with a triple, two RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk. MaKenzie Henderson drove in a pair of runs with a single in the fourth, and Emily Delgado added a double as part of a nine-hit attack. 

After a scoreless top of the first, UC struck quickly in the bottom half as Ross launched a solo home run to give the Pats a 1-0 lead. The second inning saw Cumberlands break the game open, as Phillips ripped a two-run triple before later scoring on a passed ball to make it 4-0. 

UC continued to apply pressure in the third as Cole connected on a two-run homer to extend the lead to 6-0. The Pats added their final two runs in the fourth when Henderson delivered a two-RBI single, pushing the advantage to 8-0. 

Cord closed out the game by allowing just one hit over the final two innings, sitting Midway down in order in the fifth to secure the run-rule victory. 

Game 2: FIVE-RUN SECOND INNING POWERS UC TO SECOND SHUTOUT 

Brenna Parker took the ball in game two and was dominant in her Patriots debut, tossing a complete-game shutout. Parker went six innings, scattering three hits while striking out five and walking just one to move to 1-0 on the season. 

The Pats offense erupted in the second inning, scoring five runs while taking advantage of Midway miscues. Aniyah White and Maleah Clinton each delivered RBI singles, while Ross doubled in a pair of runs and Jenna Fabela added an RBI single to cap the scoring in the frame. 

Cumberlands added two more runs in the fourth inning as Kristen Smith singled home a run and MaKenzie Henderson drove in another on a fielder's choice. The Pats tacked on an insurance run in the sixth when Ross grounded out, allowing Jaelyn Phillips to score on a Midway error. 

Parker remained in control throughout, working out of minimal traffic and retiring the final batter in the sixth to complete UC's second shutout of the day. 

Up Next 

Cumberlands will host the Patriots Classic from February 12–14 at the UC Softball Complex. The Patriots will open the tournament against the University of Northwestern Ohio on Thursday, February 12, with first pitch scheduled for 10 AM in Williamsburg, KY. 

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