Gulf Shores, AL – The thirteenth-ranked University of the Cumberlands split its opening day at the Gulf Coast Invitational on Friday, falling 3-0 to #22 William Carey University (Miss.) before earning a 6-2 victory over #16 LSU Alexandria. The Patriots move to 12-6 overall on the season.
Game 1: #22 WILLIAM CAREY CLAIMS 3-0 WIN
William Carey broke through in the second inning with an RBI single before adding two more runs in the fifth on consecutive doubles to take control of the contest.
Cumberlands generated traffic in the third inning when Kristen Smith and Aniyah White singled and Maleah Clinton reached to load the bases, but the Patriots were unable to capitalize.
The Crusaders limited UC to three hits in the game as the Patriots were shut out in the opener.
Game 2: #13 PATS RESPOND WITH 6-2 WIN OVER #16 LSU ALEXANDRIA
Cumberlands answered emphatically in the nightcap with a strong offensive showing against the 16th-ranked Generals.
The Patriots struck immediately in the first inning. Grace Ross singled to begin the game, and Emily Delgado followed with an RBI double to put UC on the board. Kristen Smith and Jae Jae Phillips each added RBI singles to extend the lead to 3-0.
LSU Alexandria responded with a run in the bottom of the first, but Cumberlands continued to apply pressure. Ross scored in the second, and Abby Guinn reached on an error in the third to drive in another run and push the lead to 5-1.
The Patriots added insurance in the sixth when Smith singled to center field to score Aniyah White, extending the margin to 6-1.
Jessica Cord delivered a complete-game performance in the circle, allowing two runs on nine hits while striking out six to secure the ranked victory.
Cumberlands totaled 18 hits in the contest. Ross finished 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, while Delgado, Smith, Garcia, and Phillips each recorded multi-hit games.
Up Next
Cumberlands will continue play at the Gulf Coast Invitational on Saturday, facing Texas A&M University–San Antonio at 3:45 PM followed by Central Methodist University (Mo.) at 6:00 PM in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
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