Williamsburg, KY – The #6 Patriots suffered their first losses of the season Friday afternoon, dropping both games of a doubleheader against Indiana Tech at Doyle Buhl Stadium. UC fell 7-6 in game one before a seven-run seventh inning proved the difference in a 7-5 loss in game two as Cumberlands moved to 10-2 on the season.
Game One – Indiana Tech 7, #6 Cumberlands 6
Indiana Tech used a two-run ninth inning to edge the Patriots 7-6 in the opener.
Ben Rohrbach was charged with the loss after surrendering a two-run home run in the top of the ninth that gave the Warriors the lead. Wesley Culley started and allowed five runs over 4.2 innings, while Justin Cortez provided 2.1 scoreless innings of relief to keep UC within reach.
Offensively, Pedro Vasquez led the way, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored. Clay Shelton added a two-run homer, while Johnboy Rittenhouse also connected for a solo shot as the Patriots totaled 11 hits.
Indiana Tech opened the scoring in the second inning, but Cumberlands answered in the fourth. After Derick Andiarena walked and Ronald Almanzar doubled, both runners scored on wild pitches to give UC a 2-1 lead.
The Warriors responded with four runs in the fifth to jump back in front 5-2. Shelton cut into the deficit with a two-run home run in the bottom half.
In the sixth inning, Rittenhouse tied the game with a solo home run before Vasquez followed two batters later with a solo shot to give the Patriots a 6-5 advantage.
Indiana Tech stayed within striking distance and delivered the decisive blow in the ninth with a two-run homer to reclaim the lead. UC had the tying run reach base in the bottom of the inning but was unable to complete the comeback.
Game Two – Indiana Tech 7, #6 Cumberlands 5
The Warriors broke open a tight contest with a seven-run seventh inning to complete the sweep with a 7-5 victory in game two.
Nolan Wilson was sharp through six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out seven. Jackson Mayo was tagged with the loss after Indiana Tech capitalized on a defensive miscue and timely hits in the seventh. JD Price and Ethan Coronel also saw action in relief.
Cumberlands struck first in the second inning as Zamaurion Hatcher drove in a run on a groundout after a double from Caden Petrey. Ronald Almanzar extended the lead in the fourth with a solo home run to left-center to make it 2-0.
The Patriots held that advantage until the seventh when Indiana Tech erupted for seven runs, highlighted by a three-run homer and a two-run blast that swung the momentum.
UC attempted to rally late. Johnboy Rittenhouse delivered a two-run home run in the eighth to cut the deficit to 7-4. In the ninth, Hatcher doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Sebastian De La Cruz to make it 7-5, bringing the tying run to the plate. However, Indiana Tech was able to record the final out and secure the sweep.
The Patriots will look to bounce back Saturday as the two teams meet again at 1 p.m. ET for the series finale in Williamsburg.
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