Williamsburg, Ky. – Softball went toe to toe with #3 University of the Cumberlands in their first-round matchup in the NAIA National Tournament. The ladies managed to load the bases late but could not close the gap as they fell 7-4 to the Patriots. The Golden Eagles have a quick turnaround as they play once again on Tuesday, May 13 against the loser of Texas A&M Texarkana and Mobile continuing tournament play. 
 
Game One Recap: Cornerstone – 4 #3 University of the Cumberlands – 7

• The top of the lineup showed up fast as Morgan Jenkins was walked and stole a base with Anna Griffioen finding a single in that span. 
• Moriah Sprague cracked a ball into play to help boost Cornerstone to their first lead of the game as they stunned the Patriots home crowd. 
• Cumberlands flexed their muscles in the bottom of the first inning with back-to-back homers that allowed for them to gain five runs and take a 5-1 lead after a busy 1^st inning. 
• McKenna Gilde weathered the storm for the Golden Eagles in the 2^nd inning as both teams went scoreless.
• Sam Timmer highlighted the 3^rd inning with a double, but Cornerstone could not find joy as the game remained at 5-1 headed into the 4^th inning. 
• The defenses stiffened once again in the 4^th as it was three up and three down for both sides. 
• Maddy Chatman collected a single as she led off the 5^th inning, but Cornerstone could still not find enough to punch any runs home. 
• The Golden Eagles were stunned again as the Patriots led off with a triple in the bottom of the 5^th inning. 
• Cumberlands continued to find runs as they caused havoc on the Cornerstone defense with the score now 7-1 in their favor. 
• Alayna Meade, Paige Liddell, and Maddy Chatman all singled in the 6^th inning which finally allowed for a run to be scored as they made the game 7-2 headed to the final inning. 
• The top of the 7^th inning was led off strong as Sam Timmer and Moriah Sprague looked to set up the Golden Eagles for a late push with two singles. 
• Three straight battles at the plate resulted in walks as Cornerstone forced the Patriots into a pitching change. 
• Despite having the bases loaded once again in the contest the ladies came up just short late as they fell 7-4 against #3 Cumberlands in game one of the NAIA Tournament First Round. 

By the Numbers:
9 – Cornerstone racked up nine total hits in the game compared to the Patriots seven. 
12 – It was another tough day driving in runs as the Golden Eagles left 12 runners on base. 
6 – Both pitching squads surrendered six walks in tonight's game. 

What's Next?
The Golden Eagles go to battle again on Tuesday, May 13 against the loser of Texas A&M Texarkana and Mobile continuing tournament play.
 
Contact: Jonny Strube | jon.strube@cornerstone.edu
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