Williamsburg, KY – The seventh-ranked University of the Cumberlands opened play in the Patriots Classic on Thursday at the UC Softball Complex, earning a pair of victories over the University of Northwestern Ohio and RV Indiana Tech. The Patriots took game one 6-4 before walking off RV Indiana Tech 5-4 in eight innings to move to 4-0 on the season.
Game 1: PATS HOLD OFF UNOH FOR 6-4 VICTORY
Taylor Haymans got the start in the circle for UC, tossing four innings while allowing just one hit and two runs, both unearned. Brenna Parker entered in relief and picked up the win, moving to 2-0 on the season after throwing three innings and striking out two.
Cumberlands struck early in the bottom of the first. Maleah Clinton led off with a single and later scored on an error that allowed Alyssa Garcia to reach and advance. Grace Ross followed with an RBI single to give the Pats a 2-0 advantage.
After three scoreless innings from Haymans, UC added two more in the fourth. A pair of UNOH miscues allowed Aniyah White to score on a wild pitch before Jaelyn Phillips crossed home on a passed ball, extending the lead to 4-0.
The Racers responded in the fifth, capitalizing on Patriot errors to plate three unearned runs and cut the deficit to 4-3. UNOH tied the game in the sixth on an RBI double.
The Pats answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Phillips singled and stole second before Clinton reached and advanced on an error. Garcia drew a walk to load the bases, and Ross worked a bases-loaded walk to bring home the go-ahead run. Emily Delgado followed with another walk to force in an insurance run, pushing the lead to 6-4.
Parker closed the door in the seventh, retiring the Racers in order to secure the victory.
Game 2: DELGADO DELIVERS WALK-OFF AS UC TOPS RV INDIANA TECH
Jessica Cord was dominant in the circle in the nightcap, throwing a complete-game eight-inning performance to earn her second win of the season. Cord allowed just one earned run while striking out seven.
Indiana Tech struck first in the second inning, but UC responded in the third. Clinton singled and advanced into scoring position before Garcia reached on an error, allowing Clinton to score. Ross then doubled to right center to bring Garcia home and give the Patriots a 2-1 lead.
The Warriors evened the game in the fourth on an unearned run, and the teams traded runs again in the fifth as Delgado delivered an RBI single to put UC ahead 3-2.
Indiana Tech capitalized on Patriot miscues in the sixth to score two unearned runs and take a 4-3 lead. Cumberlands answered in the bottom of the inning when Kristen Smith singled as a pinch hitter and later scored on an RBI single from Ryann Livingston to tie the contest at 4-4.
After a scoreless seventh, the game moved to the international tiebreaker in the eighth. Cord worked out of the top half without allowing a run, stranding the placed runner.
In the bottom half, Garcia was placed on second to begin the inning. Ross laid down a sacrifice bunt to move her to third, and Delgado followed with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Garcia and sealing the 5-4 walk-off victory.
Up Next
Cumberlands will continue play in the Patriots Classic on Friday, February 13, at the UC Softball Complex in Williamsburg, KY. The Patriots will face Indiana Tech at 12:00 PM and UNOH at 4:30 PM.
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