University of the Cumberlands (UC) softball rounded out their second week of competition on Sunday, February 26^th.  In the first double-header in Harrogate, TN on Thursday, February 23^rd, the Patriots failed to overcome the Railsplitters' offense resulting in two losses to Lincoln Memorial University (LMU).  In the second double header for the week, UC traveled to neighboring Barbourville, KY on Sunday, February 26 to take on the Union College Bulldogs.  The Patriots fell short in both games to the Bulldogs for another two losses on the week. 

In game one of the double header against the Railsplitters, both teams held strong in the first couple innings, refusing to give up any runs.  In the top of the third, Patriot catcher Brittany Lovelace (Middletown, OH) scored the first run of the game on an RBI by senior Ashley Wampler (London, KY).  UC stayed on top until the 4^thinning.  With the combination of persistent Railsplitter hitting and a few Patriot errors, the Railsplitters took the game in the last three innings giving a final score of 1-9 for game one.

In game two for the day, the Railsplitters took the lead early, scoring 5 runs in the first inning and 6 in the second.  The Patriots fought back; putting runs on the board in the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th, but could not string together enough big hitting to overcome LMU's early go ahead.  The game ended in the 5^thinning with a final score of 3-15 and a Railsplitters win.

In game one against Union College, the Patriots could not match the Bulldogs' consistent hitting.  Only scoring one Patriot run in the game, the Bulldogs took this one in 6 innings with a score of 1-9.  The second game of the day looked a bit brighter for UC.  The Patriots, looking to get their first win of the season, put three runs on the board in the top of the first.  Sophomore Patriot pitcher Jessica Speake (Lancaster, KY) shut down the Bulldogs' offense for a straight five innings.  Unfortunately, Union pulled together a pair of runs in the 6^thand 7^thinnings to put them ahead by 1.  UC took a tough loss in the second game, with a final of 3-4.

After today, the Patriots are now at now at 0-6 on the season and are looking to put some wins on the board with four games in the upcoming week.

The Patriots take the road again on Thursday, March 1st to face Bryan College in Dayton, TN, and then to Columbia, KY on Saturday, March 3^rdto face Mid-South Conference opponent and No. 14 nationally ranked Lindsey Wilson College.

Article Provided by Jessica Robinson, University of the Cumberlands Multimedia & Athletic Services Graduate Assistant.