Columbus, GA – The seventh-ranked University of the Cumberlands split its second day at the NFCA Leadoff Classic on Saturday, falling 7-4 to Thomas University before rebounding with an 8-1 victory over RV College of Coastal Georgia. The Patriots move to 11-4 overall on the season.
Game 1: LATE RALLY FALLS SHORT AGAINST THOMAS
Thomas struck first in the third inning, using a sacrifice fly and a two-RBI double to take a 3-0 lead.
The Saints added four runs in the fifth, capitalizing on a pair of doubles and timely hitting to extend their advantage to 7-0.
Cumberlands threatened throughout, collecting 10 hits in the contest, but left runners stranded in multiple scoring opportunities. The Patriots mounted a late surge in the seventh when Krystal Anne Castaneda singled and Lillian Buckley was hit by a pitch before Alyssa Garcia reached to load the bases. Grace Ross then launched a grand slam to center field to cut the deficit to 7-4, marking her sixth home run of the season.
The rally ended there as Thomas secured the final out to close the game.
Emily Delgado took the loss after allowing five runs over 4.2 innings, while Taylor Haymans and Brenna Parker combined to finish the contest in relief.
Game 2: CORD LEADS PATS PAST RV COASTAL GEORGIA
Cumberlands responded in the nightcap behind another strong performance from Jessica Cord. The senior right-hander tossed a complete-game effort, allowing one run on five hits while striking out eight to improve to 7-1 on the year. Cord now holds a 1.88 ERA through 44.2 innings this season.
The Patriots got on the board in the first when Jenna Fabela delivered an RBI single to score Alyssa Garcia.
Coastal Georgia tied the game in the second on an RBI single, but Cumberlands answered immediately. Garcia drove in two runs with a single to left field to put UC ahead 3-1.
The Patriots added two more runs in the third as Jae Jae Phillips singled home a run and Abby Guinn followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 5-1.
In the fourth, Ross added to her weekend total with a two-run home run to left field, giving the Patriots a 7-1 cushion. The blast marked her seventh homer of the season and pushed her RBI total to 29.
UC added an insurance run in the sixth when Delgado singled home Garcia to make it 8-1.
Garcia led the offense with a 3-for-3 performance and two RBIs, while Fabela and Delgado each added multi-hit efforts in the win.
Up Next
Cumberlands will conclude play at the NFCA Leadoff Classic on Sunday in Columbus, Georgia, facing Faulkner University at 11:00 AM.
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.
