Williamsburg, KY – The #6 Patriots (26-6) used a strong performance from the bullpen to secure a 7-5 home victory over (RV) Milligan on Tuesday afternoon at Doyle Buhl Stadium. Cumberlands scored seven runs on seven hits while the Patriot pitching staff combined to strike out 11 batters in the win.

Justin Cortez earned the win in relief, improving to 1-0 on the season after tossing three innings and allowing two runs while striking out five. Brayden Stewart picked up the save, closing out the ninth inning with two strikeouts. Jaden Morris also contributed with two innings of relief.

Rittenhouse led the offense with three RBI, while Petrey added a home run and two RBI in the win.

Milligan jumped out to an early lead, plating two runs in the top of the first inning.

The Patriots responded in the bottom of the third. Justin Veloz doubled to start the rally before Johnboy Rittenhouse delivered a bases-clearing triple to give UC a 3-2 lead. Zamaurion Hatcher followed with an RBI single to extend the advantage to 4-2.

Cumberlands added to the lead in the fifth inning when Caden Petrey launched a two-run home run to push the score to 6-2.

Milligan answered with two runs in the sixth and another in the eighth to cut the deficit to 7-5.

The Patriots had taken that final lead in the sixth inning when Dariel Castillo reached and later scored on an RBI groundout from Derick Andiarena.

From there, the bullpen held firm. Morris bridged the late innings before Stewart shut the door in the ninth to secure his first save of the season and the victory.

Cumberlands will return to action on Thursday, April 2nd for a Mid-South Conference series at Bethel in McKenzie, Tennessee.

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