Williamsburg, KY – The #6 Patriots (17-5) opened Mid-South Conference play with a dominant 12-2 victory over Cumberland University (12-11) on Friday afternoon at Doyle Buhl Stadium. Cumberlands scored 12 runs on 16 hits while allowing just two runs on two hits.

Wesley Culley (4-0) continued his strong season on the mound for UC, earning the complete-game victory for the second consecutive week. The left-hander tossed seven innings, allowing just two runs on two hits while striking out five.

At the plate, the Patriots had production throughout the lineup. Dariel Castillo went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Derick Andiarena finished 2-for-4 with three RBI. Ronald Almanzar added two hits and an RBI, while Zamaurion Hatcher and Caden Petrey each homered in the victory. Clay Shelton also had a big day, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.

The Phoenix struck first in the top of the second inning with a solo home run to take a 1-0 lead.

Cumberlands answered in the bottom half of the inning as Hatcher blasted a solo home run to left center to tie the game at 1-1.

The Patriots took control in the third inning. Shelton started the rally with a single before Castillo followed with a base hit. Andiarena delivered an RBI single to give UC the lead, and Almanzar drove in another run with a double to right field to extend the advantage to 3-1.

After a quiet fourth inning, UC added two more runs in the fifth when Petrey launched a two-run home run to left center to push the lead to 5-1.

Cumberland added a run in the sixth, but the Patriots responded with their biggest inning of the game in the bottom of the frame. Shelton doubled to bring in a run before Castillo followed with a double. Andiarena drove in two more runs with a double to left field, and Rittenhouse added another RBI double. Vasquez later tripled to center field and Veloz capped the inning with an RBI double as UC scored seven runs to extend the lead to 12-2.

Culley shut the door in the seventh inning to secure the run-rule victory and the conference-opening win.

Cumberlands and Cumberland University will meet again tomorrow for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. ET at Doyle Buhl Stadium.

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