FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The University of Saint Francis Cougars (2-2) traveled to Williamsburg, Kentucky Friday afternoon to begin a four-game series against the No. 11 University of the Cumberlands Patriots (7-1) and during the first doubleheader, suffered both losses by scores of 8-5 and 7-0.

After the Cougars failed to score in the top of the first inning of the opener, the Patriots went to work with the bats, beginning with an RBI-groundout and finishing with a two-run home off freshman pitcher Cory Wolter run to put the Cumberlands ahead 3-0.

But then the Cougars responded in the top of the second. An RBI-double by catcher Xavier Nolan followed by a sacrifice fly by left fielder Alec Brunson got two runs back for Saint Francis.

However, an RBI-triple in the bottom of the fourth gave the Patriots their two-run lead back, and no more scoring was done through the next two innings.

Then in the bottom of the sixth, the Patriots appeared to put the game away scoring four runs on four hits to take an 8-2 lead going to the seventh.

In the top of the seventh, the first two Cougars batters were retired, and down to their last breath they went down fighting. Four consecutive hits followed plating three runs and drawing the Cougars to within three of catching the Patriots. Then with the tying run at the plate, third baseman Kaden Sullivan struck out.

Despite the loss, the Cougars managed five runs on nine hits with Brunson, Nolan, and designated hitter David Miller each collecting two hits. Wolter suffered the loss allowing eight runs on 12 hits in five and a third inning while striking out three.

Any momentum the Cougars had on offense was snuffed out as the second game got underway. After going quietly in the first, a leadoff triple off sophomore starter Casey Henry followed by a sacrifice fly gave the Patriots the lead. They would add two more in the third on a two-run home run to make it 3-0.

Down by three, the Cougars threatened in the fourth, but to no avail. The Patriots then scored another run on three hits in the bottom of the frame while the Cougar offense was rendered scoreless through the game's first six innings.

Henry was finished in the sixth allowing six runs on seven hits in five-plus innings. Freshman reliever Gavin Noble came in and allowed another run but held the Patriots in check from there.

The Cougars went in order in the top of the seventh and that was the game as they were dealt the loss after managing just three hits.

The Cougars resume play Saturday afternoon with their final doubleheader against the Patriots beginning at 1:00 pm.