No. 15 Cumberlands Rallies To Defeat No. 18 IU Southeast 7-6 in 2023 Season Opener

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – No. 15 University of the Cumberlands rallied from three runs down in the eighth inning to defeat No. 18 IU Southeast 7-6 on Monday in the season opener for both teams.

The Grenadiers (0-1) opened the scoring in the top of the first when 2022 RSC Player of the Year Trevor Campbell hit a solo home run to left for a 1-0 lead.

The Patriots (1-0) got the tying run to third in the bottom of the inning but starter Tyler Yotkewich struck out Max Harper to end the inning.

Cumberlands loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the second but Yotkewich was able to get out of the jam once again. He struck out a pair and then recorded a fly out to center by Luis Alvarez to end the threat.

The Grenadiers doubled their lead in the fifth when Trevor Goodwin led off the inning with a solo home run to right.

In the sixth, IU Southeast added a pair of runs when Campbell singled, moved to second on an error and scored on a two-out single by Kody Putnam. Putnam advanced on a balk and scored on a RBI single to left by Brayden Hazelwood to extend the lead to 4-0.

But the Patriots got back in the game with a three-run sixth inning. Sujel Arias led off the inning with a home run and, after a two-out walk, Evan St. Claire homered to right-center.

IU Southeast responded with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh when Ryan Kassel hit a two-run home run to left.

The Patriots tied the game in the eighth when Harper led off the inning with a home run and, after a walk, Ryan Shavers hit a two-run home run to left-center.

The Grenadiers were retired in order in the ninth and leadoff batter Raphy Almanzar led off the bottom of the inning with a double. Charlie Muniz was intentionally walked and Arias reached base on an error to load the bases.

Max Harper drew a walk to win the game for the Patriots.

Trevor Campbell, Kody Putnam and Trevor Goodwin each had two hits for iU Southeast and Ryan Kassel drove in a pair.

Garrett Hill worked three innings of relief and allowed one hit and struck out five for IU Southeast.

The Grenadiers are scheduled to travel to Columbia College for a three-game series beginning Friday, weather permitting.