WILLIAMSBURG — Head Coach Bailey Dillender’s Patriots took the 7-1 victory over the Mariners of Coastal Georgia, to punch their ticket to the 2024 NAIA World Series, for the second consecutive season.
In the first inning, the Mariners started strong with a hit, but Morgan Radford’s clutch strikeout ended their threat. UC’s offense ignited with Amber Gainer’s walk and stolen base. With two outs, Makenzie Keatts’ RBI single scored the first run, and she quickly stole second, allowing Amber Atkins’ RBI single to extend the lead to 2-0. Radford’s strikeout in a three-up, three-down second inning kept the Mariners at bay. UC’s second inning saw singles from Kaysee Dale and Carly Oliver, but no additional runs.
The Mariners continued to push in the third with two hits, but a groundout to Emily Bryant left them scoreless. Jade Gainer’s bunt single in the third, followed by Keatts’ sacrifice bunt, advanced her to third, but she was stranded. In the fourth, two Mariners reached on fielder’s choices, but Radford’s flyout ended their chance. UC’s offense stalled in the fourth, maintaining a 2-0 lead.
The fifth inning featured Mariners’ substitutions but no hits, while UC added an insurance run with Amber Gainer’s bunt single and steal, followed by Keatts’ second RBI single, making it 3-0. In the sixth, the Mariners scored once off Lindsey Shope, narrowing the gap to 3-1. Turnbow’s solo home run in the bottom of the sixth increased UC’s lead to 4-1. Dale’s single and Oliver’s walk set up Amber Gainer’s three-run home run, sealing the score at 7-1. Another flawless defensive inning in the seventh secured UC’s win and their ticket to the 2024 NAIA World Series.
Leading the offense, Amber Gainer went 2-3 with three RBIs and three runs, while Keatts was 2-2 with two RBIs and one run. Dale went 2-3 with one run, and Oliver, Jade Gainer, Atkins, and Turnbow each recorded a hit.
Pitcher Morgan Radford earned her ninth win of the season, tossing five innings with two strikeouts and allowing only four hits. Lindsey Shope earned her fourth save with two innings of one-hit relief.
Cumberlands will travel to Columbus, GA, to compete in the 2024 NAIA World Series, running from Thursday, May 23 to Wednesday, May 29. Opponents and seeding will be announced at a later time.
PHOTOS BY: BILL TURNER
