UNOH Splits First Two of Three at No. 6 Cumberlands

WILLIAMSBURG, KY - UNOH and No. 6 Cumberlands traded wins Thursday with two drastically different results to open a three-game series. 

The Patriots scored twelve runs in just two at bats during game one to run away easy winners, 16-1. A lead off double followed by a couple ground outs in the sixth were responsible for the lone Racer run.

Blake O'Bryan (0-1) took the loss after six runs on six hits over three innings with a walk and the team's only strike out of the game.. Nate Tappenden and Cam Norris combined for two innings of middle relief giving up nine runs, five earned, on six hits with six walks. John Nhem and Ryan Yingst finished the final frame allowing one run on one hit and two talks all credited to Nhem.

Both offenses were on display early in game two as the teams combined for four runs split 2-2 in the first inning. Errors aided both sides of the scoreboard as with three of the four coming across unearned. Back-to-back UNOH singles made the Patriots pay for their first mistake but the favor was returned in the next half inning with both runs coming off the same Racer error.

After trading one each in the third, the two combined for five more runs in the fourth but consecutive home runs in the bottom gave Cumberlands the advantage, 6-5. A sacrifice fly pulled the Racers even again in their next at bat but one more time they were answered by a home run that made it 7-6 Patriots through five. 

The bullpen took over for UNOH over the final four innings allowing just one hit as the offense continued to rally. A four-hit seventh was assisted by another defensive mistake that resulted in a four run frame for the Racers. After a solo shot from Kole Huffman in the eighth, his first of the season, the Racers hung another four-spot in the ninth. Four more Racer hits that included a Zach Grigalis RBI double and a Tyler Huff three-run homer helped finish the day for the team's second top ten victory of the season.

Cesar Grau went 3-5 in game two with three RBI and was joined by Tyler Huff who also drove in three while hitting 3-6. Zach Grigalis and Eliomar Otero each brought home two RBI with Grigalis making it three Racers with three hits in the game ending 3-6 with two RBI.

Noah Curi got his first start of the season working three and two-thirds innings with five runs on four hits, three earned, striking out five and walking two. Aidan Nugent (1-1) tossed four strong innings in relief to earn the win allowing one run on one hit with two walks and two strike outs.

The game three rubber match is scheduled for Friday, March 6 with first pitch slated for 1:00 PM.