Sun, Apr. 1, 2012 - [Softball]
The University of the Cumberlands (UC) softball team completed a full week of play on Saturday, April 30th after a double-header with the Cavaliers of University of Virginia Wise (UVA-Wise). After losing a double-header to Mid-South Conference (MSC) opponent Lindsey Wilson College on Tuesday and another couple of tough losses against Lincoln Memorial University on Thursday, the Patriots were looking to come back with two big wins.
The Patriots came out and fought hard in game one. From the beginning, they stepped onto the field with that fire in their eye and a spring in their step. Even with strong hitting by Patriot junior Brittny Lovelace (Middletown, OH) who doubled to the fence, and a multiple hit game by senior Angela Steuer (Miamisburg, OH), the Patriots could not out-hit the Cavaliers offense who seemed to place hits perfectly. Steuer pitched well and with a near faultless Patriot defense, UC would hold the Cavaliers offense to two, but were unable to answer back. The Patriots took another tough loss for the week as the final score of game one against UVA-Wise would end in a 2-1 Patriot loss.
In game two, the Patriots line-up played hard to the end. Action in game 2 started with a duo of runs scored in the bottom of the 1st by the Cavaliers, but the Patriots came fighting back in the top of the 3rd, pushing three runs across the plate and taking the lead. UC looked like they were going to take this game away from Wise as they pulled ahead further, adding a run in the 4th and then again the 6th. With a streak of hits in the seventh, the Cavaliers timing could not be better as they would tie the game up at 5-5. After several scoreless innings, the Cavaliers would squeeze across a run in the 10th and take the win. The final score in game two was 6-5 with the Cavaliers barely pulling it away.
Patriot outfielder Roma Maloney (Latonia, KY) stood out in game two, leading the team in hits. This outfielder, just a freshman and currently third on the season in batting average for the Patriots, is going to make significant leaps and bounds in the years to come. Patriots' sophomore Jessica Speake (Lancaster, KY) pitched another solid game on Saturday, with less hits allowed than innings pitched.
"The team has been showing a lot of heart and I like seeing when they come together as a team. We have been losing some close games, but I have confidence the wins will come," commented Patriot Head Coach Angie Dean.
The Patriot ladies will step on home turf again as they host the Golden Bears of West Virginia Institute of Technology on April 3rd at 4pm and 6pm. The Patriots will then travel to Georgetown College to take on the Tigers on April 4, 2012 at 3pm and 5pm.
For more information on University of the Cumberlands' softball or other Patriot athletics, please visit www.cumberlandpatriots.com.
