Williamsburg, KY – The seventh-ranked University of the Cumberlands wrapped up the Patriots Classic with an 11-2 victory over Midway on Saturday afternoon at the UC Softball Complex. The contest marked the third meeting of the season between the two programs, as the Patriots improved to 6-1 overall to close out tournament play. 

BIG FIRST AND FIFTH INNINGS LIFT PATS TO WIN 

Jessica Cord continued her strong start in the circle, tossing a complete-game effort to move to 4-0 on the season. Cord allowed three hits and two runs while striking out six over five innings. 

Cumberlands jumped on Midway early in the bottom of the first. Alyssa Garcia singled and Grace Ross followed with a base hit before Emily Delgado drew a walk to load the bases. After two outs, Emily Cole put the ball in play and reached on an error, allowing both Garcia and Ross to score unearned and give UC a 2-0 advantage. 

After Cord worked through a clean second and third, the Patriots extended the lead in the bottom of the third. Ross and Delgado opened the inning with singles, and Jenna Fabela laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Cole then delivered a two-RBI single down the right field line to make it 4-0. Later in the inning, Jaelyn Phillips singled and advanced before Abby Guinn stole second, allowing Phillips to score and push the lead to 5-0. 

Midway answered in the fifth with three consecutive hits to load the bases and plated two runs on a fielder's choice and a walk to cut the deficit to 5-2. 

The Patriots responded immediately in the bottom half with a decisive six-run frame. Alyssa Gent was hit by a pitch to start the inning and later stole second before Phillips walked and swiped a bag as well. Ryann Livingston reached on an error to score a run, and Lexie Escamilla added an RBI after being hit by a pitch. Krystal Anne Castaneda followed with a sacrifice fly, Ross drove in a run with a single up the middle, and Kristen Smith capped the scoring with a two-RBI double to right center, walking it off with a run-rule 11-2 victory. 

Up Next 

Cumberlands will return to the UC Softball Complex next weekend for a round robin event beginning Friday, February 20. The Patriots will face the University of St. Francis (Ill.) at 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM on Friday, followed by matchups against the University of St. Francis (Ill.) at 12:00 PM and the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 21. UC will conclude the weekend on Sunday, February 22, with games against the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) at 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM in Williamsburg, KY. 

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.