Williamsburg, KY – The seventh-ranked University of the Cumberlands earned a 3-0 victory over Tennessee Wesleyan University on Tuesday afternoon at the UC Softball Complex. The Patriots improve to 9-2 overall on the season. 
 

CORD SETS SEASON HIGH 

Jessica Cord delivered one of her strongest performances of the season, tossing a complete-game shutout and setting a season-high with 10 strikeouts to improve to 6-0 in the circle. Cord allowed just three hits over seven innings while working around two walks and consistently keeping Tennessee Wesleyan off balance. 

The Bulldogs threatened early in the first inning, putting two runners aboard, but Cord recorded back-to-back strikeouts to escape the jam and keep the game scoreless. 

Cumberlands responded in the bottom half. Maleah Clinton singled and stole second before Alyssa Garcia reached to put runners on the corners. Grace Ross lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to bring home Clinton and give the Patriots a 1-0 lead. 

Cord continued to settle in, retiring Tennessee Wesleyan in order in both the fourth and fifth innings while piling up strikeouts. She closed the game strong, working around a seventh-inning leadoff single and walk before a lineout double play in right field helped preserve the shutout. Cord then recorded her 10th strikeout of the afternoon to seal the victory. 

The Patriots added insurance in the fifth inning. Clinton reached on an error and stole second before Garcia singled to move her to third. Ross grounded out to score Clinton, and Garcia later crossed the plate on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 3-0. 

Garcia paced the offense with a 3-for-3 performance, while Clinton added two stolen bases and scored twice in the win. 

Up Next 

Cumberlands will travel to Columbus, Georgia for the NFCA Leadoff Classic, held February 27 through March 1. The Patriots will compete against a national field as they continue early-season tournament play. 

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