Patriots Closeout A Historic Season In A Heartbreaker Against The Bulldogs

Baseball | Thu, May 19, 2022 at 3:55 PM

Story Courtesy of Cumberlands Sports Information

Kingsport, TN- Patriots fought hard to the end but fell short to Tennessee Wesleyan 7-5 in the NAIA Opening Round Championship Game. As this historic season comes to close the Patriots won 46 games, that makes it the third time Cumberlands won 46 games in a season. Also, Head Coach Brad Shelton is now at 950 career wins.

Garrett DeClue got the start on the mound and pitched 2.2 innings giving up seven hits for four runs, two walks and a strikeout. All four runs came in the fourth inning. Jake Kmiecik came in relief and pitched 1.2 innings only allowing two hits for two runs, only one of his runs was earned. Chipper Korbacher closed out the game as he pitched 3.2 innings giving up two hits and one run with two walks and two strikeouts.

Offensively, four Patriots notched two hits with Sujel Arias leading the way going 2-5 with a homerun and three RBIs. Charlie Muniz also went 2-5 and notched a double for an RBI. Raphy Almanzar and Ray Villanueva were the other two Pats with two hits. Muniz moved into second place on the Patriots single season hit record with 93 hits, while Arias sits on third on the list with 89 hits. Sean Cheely and Ray Villanueva is tied for fifth on that list with 83 hits each.

UC jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as Almanzar got walked with one out in the first. Muniz followed with an RBI double to left center to take the 1-0 lead.

After a scoreless second inning, the Pats added three runs to their lead. Almanzar led off with a single to right center, and Muniz followed with a line drive single to center field. After a pitching change, Arias stepped to the plate and hit a three run bomb over the right center fence for the 4-0 lead.

The Bulldogs responded with four runs in the bottom of the third to tie the game.Tennessee Wesleyan would take a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the fourth, then expanded their lead to two as they scored again in the fifth.

In the top of the seventh Cumberlands scored one run to make it a 6-5 ballgame. With one out Arias singled through the right side, and advanced to second on a wild pitch a few plays later. Villanueva then stepped up to the plate and singled to right field for an RBI.

Later in the eighth, UC would threaten as they got runners on the corners with two outs, but a pop up ended the threat. Then in the bottom half of the inning, the Bulldogs notched another run to make it a 7-5 ballgame. UC tried to tie the game or send it into extra innings, but three straight outs ended the Patriots season.

This marks the closest UC has been to punching their ticket to the NAIA Would Series. Head Coach Brad Shelton wrapped up the year by saying “I am heartbroken for our guys, but so proud of the growth of our team over the last 6 weeks.  One media outlet said “this isn’t the same Cumberlands” in the early season.  Our guys came together & fought their way to 46 wins, a MSC tourney championship and a runner up finish in the opening round.” He also added “We went toe to toe with the #2 team in the country and I’m so proud of their fight.  We return a lot of players and this experience will be invaluable.  Thanks to our administration, and everyone at Cumberlands for their support.  Thanks to our coaches & support staff. Most of all thanks to our players. They love UC and the love this program.”