Columbus, GA – In an NAIA Softball World Series elimination game that stretched across two days due to weather delays, the #6 University of the Cumberlands softball team fell to #10 British Columbia 2-1 Saturday morning at the South Commons Complex. The Patriots conclude the 2026 season with a 40-21 overall record after winning the NAIA Opening Round and advancing to the NAIA World Series.
The Patriots struck first in the opening inning as Krystal Anne Castaneda worked a two-out walk before swiping second base for her ninth stolen bag of the season. Henderson followed with an RBI single to right field, plating Castaneda for the early 1-0 advantage.
Cord settled in quickly in the circle as the Patriots defense retired the Thunderbirds in order during the second inning. UC threatened again in the bottom of the second as White ripped her ninth double of the season down the right field line and advanced to third following a groundout, however British Columbia worked out of the inning trailing 1-0.
The Thunderbirds continued to pressure the Patriots offense with strong pitching, striking out five batters and holding UC to three hits across the contest.
British Columbia broke through in the top of the fourth inning with a leadoff walk before singling to left field. They followed with an RBI single up the middle to even the score 1-1.
Following the fourth inning, the game entered a weather delay Friday evening before additional weather forced the contest to be suspended until Saturday morning.
When play resumed Saturday at 10:00 a.m., both teams struggled to generate offense as Cord settled back into a pitching duel. Cord stranded runners in both the fifth and seventh innings while the Patriots defense continued to keep the game tied.
UC was retired in order during both the fifth and sixth innings before looking to force extra innings in the seventh.
British Columbia capitalized in the top of the seventh inning, singling up the middle before drawing a walk. Following a pitching change, the Thunderbirds worked a bases-loaded walk to score the go-ahead run and claim a 2-1 lead.
The Patriots looked to rally in the bottom of the seventh as Kristen Smith singled with a dive into first base and Alyssa Gent entered as a pinch runner, however British Columbia recorded the final two outs to secure the victory.
Jessica Cord turned in another strong outing in the circle for UC, tossing 6.2 innings while allowing two runs on four hits and striking out four. The senior closed her season with 24 wins and 137 strikeouts on the year. Makenzie Henderson drove in the Patriots lone run, while Kristen Smith and Aniyah White each recorded a hit in the contest.
White finished with her ninth double of the season, while Castaneda added her ninth stolen base. Henderson tallied her 14th RBI of the year with the first inning single.
Grace Ross concluded one of the top offensive seasons in program history with 19 home runs, 60 RBI, and 19 doubles.
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