Frankfort, KY – The #8 Patriots (31-6) extended their winning streak to eight games with a dominant 20-3 run-rule victory over Kentucky State on Wednesday afternoon. Cumberlands erupted for 20 runs on 11 hits, using a huge second inning and a steady pitching effort to put the game away early.
Jack Scrofano earned the win in relief, improving to 1-0 on the season after tossing 2.0 scoreless innings while striking out three. The Patriots bullpen combined for 12 strikeouts and held Kentucky State to just three hits after the first inning.
At the plate, Derick Andiarena drove in four runs, while Caden Petrey added three RBI on a home run. Dariel Castillo finished with three RBI, and Johnboy Rittenhouse, Pedro Vasquez, and Ronald Almanzar all contributed to the offensive output.
Cumberlands struck first in the top of the first inning. After Andiarena was hit by a pitch, he advanced to third on an error and came around to score, giving UC a 1-0 lead.
Kentucky State responded with three runs in the bottom of the first to move in front 3-1, but the Patriots answered in a major way in the second. Cumberlands plated 12 runs on five hits, highlighted by a two-run double from Castillo and a two-run home run from Andiarena. Petrey also drove in a run as UC surged ahead 13-3.
The Patriots kept the pressure on in the fourth inning. Almanzar brought home a run on a fielder's choice before Petrey crushed a three-run home run to extend the lead to 18-3.
Cumberlands tacked on two more runs in the fifth inning to reach the run-rule margin at 20-3.
From there, the Patriot pitching staff shut the door, holding Kentucky State scoreless over the final five innings to secure the win.
Cumberlands will return home Saturday April 11th to being a home series with the University of Cincinnati-Clermont. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 4 p.m. ET.
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