Bowling Green, KY – The top-seeded Patriots (41-8) fell to #6 seed Bethel University (13-28) in extra innings, 4-1, to open the Mid-South Conference Tournament on Wednesday at Bowling Green Ballpark.
Cumberlands held Bethel to just one run through nine innings, but the Wildcats pushed across three runs in the top of the 10th to secure the win.
Brayden Stewart turned in a strong start for the Patriots, tossing seven innings while allowing just one unearned run on two hits.
Jaden Morris was charged with the loss after allowing three runs in the extra frame.
Offensively, UC recorded eight hits and drew nine walks but was unable to capitalize, leaving 14 runners on base.
The Patriots broke through in the fourth inning.
Caden Petrey reached and later scored on an RBI single from
Justin Veloz to give UC a 1-0 lead.
Bethel answered in the sixth inning, taking advantage of an error and a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1-1.
Both teams had chances late, but neither could push across a run-in regulation.
In the 10th inning, Bethel manufactured runs with a sacrifice bunt and timely hitting, highlighted by a two-RBI single to take a 4-1 lead.
Cumberlands was unable to answer in the bottom half as Bethel closed out the victory.
UC will look to bounce back tomorrow in an elimination game beginning at 11 a.m. CT against the loser of #2 Freed-Hardeman and #5 Campbellsville.
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