The University of the Cumberlands (UC) Patriot softball team was able to find their way into the win column as they earned two big wins over Mid-South Conference (MSC) opposition St. Catherine College.  Coming into the games, St. Catherine stood at 7-11 on the season, while UC held a 0-14 overall record.  Coming out strong on defense and playing tight in the field led to the UC Patriots first wins for the season, and now a .500 winning percentage in MSC play. 

Action in game one all started with a base hit by UC junior shortstop Tabitha Benson (Cookeville, TN).  Benson then advanced on two St. Catherine errors and scored on a beautiful "squeeze" bunt by freshman Ashleigh Hopf (Dayton, OH).  With a strong shut-out thrown by UC senior pitcher Angela Steuer (Miamisburg, OH) and another run on the board brought by freshman Roma Maloney's (Latonia, KY) solo homerun in the bottom of the 6^th, the UC Patriots came away with a solid 2-0 victory over the St. Catherine Patriots.

In game two of the double header, St. Catherine got ahead early, but UC would not back down.  Offensive action in game two was led by UC Patriot senior Erin Sears (Williamsburg, KY), who went 3 for 3 at the plate.  A single by Sears' in the bottom of the 3^rdwould lead to run #1 for UC, being driven in by Maloney.  St. Catherine answered right back in the 4^th, putting them up 2-1, but not for long.

A string of hits, credited to Ashley Perry (Knoxville, TN), Carrie Root (London, KY), Brittny Lovelace (Middletown, OH), and Sears in the 5^thinning would give UC the go-ahead runs.  Holding strong on defense and smart pitching by UC sophomore Jessica Speake (Lancaster, KY) held St. Catherine to just two runs and another W for University of the Cumberlands softball, 3-2. 

University of the Cumberlands' record now stands at 2-14, with a 2-2 showing in the Mid-South Conference (MSC).

The Patriots will have another 4 chances this week to improve their overall record, which includes 2 MSC games.  They will host a double header against MSC opponent Campbellsville University on Thursday, March 15th starting at 4 PM.  The Patriots will round out the week again at home on Saturday, March 17^thas they take on Montreat College.  Game one of that doubleheader will begin at 2 PM.

For more information on the Patriots softball program along with other Patriot athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com.