FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On Saturday afternoon, the University of Saint Francis Cougars (4-2) wrapped up their four-game series against the No. 11 University of the Cumberlands Patriots (7-3) with a doubleheader, and capped by a historic comeback in the opener to win 14-11, swept the final two games winning the finale 7-2. 

The opening game was one that every member of the Cougars will remember for years to come.

The game started with a hit batsman and a fielding error by the Patriots starting the game on a wild note. No scoring was done for the Cougars though, and freshman Andrew Kent took the mound to start and got around a leadoff walk to retire the side in the first.

In the bottom of the second, the Patriots broke the score with a passed ball. The Cougars would tie the score in the top of the third, but in the bottom of the frame, Cumberlands got to Kent. It started with an error, and they scored three runs on back-to-back home runs all being unearned.

Kent's day was done after that allowing four runs, just one earned through three innings.

Then in the bottom of the fourth, the Patriots added to their lead. They loaded the bases with no outs and took advantage scoring on a wild pitch and a two-run single to go ahead 7-1.

Matters didn't get any better in the fifth when a two-out three-run home run appeared to bury the Cougars when the Patriots surged ahead 10-1. Saint Francis trailed by nine runs with six outs to work with.

In the top of the sixth with one out, catcher Tyler Rickert singled, and now with two outs, the Cougars staged a rally to chip away. Right fielder Xavier Nolan knocked home Rickert and then left fielder Alec Brunson hammered a three-run home run for a four-run inning to pull the Cougars to within 10-5.

The Patriots added another run in the bottom of the sixth, and the Cougars went to the seventh down by six against the No. 11 team. It started with a leadoff home run by first baseman Tyler Prince and then a single and walk followed.

A sacrifice fly by Tyler Rickert pulled the Cougars to within four runs, but the second out was recorded after, and the Cougars were down to their last breath.

Shortstop Callum Stauffer reached on a fielding error by the Patriots' second baseman, and they were given a second chance. Alec Brunson followed with an RBI-single and then the hit parade continued. Designated hitter David Miller singled up the middle to score a run, and then against all odds, pinch-runner Eli Riley scored the game-tying run on a balk.

Tyler Prince then smacked a double down the right-field line to bring home David Miller and put the Cougars ahead. Singles by Kaden Sullivan and Tyler Rickert gave Saint Francis a couple insurance runs, and by the end of the frame, nine runs had scored by the Cougars, seven of them with two outs.

Kaden Sullivan came in to close out the ninth and gave the Cougars the stunning comeback win.

Throughout the game, the Cougars managed 16 hits wit Xavier Nolan having three hits and scoring three runs, Alec Brunson and Tyler Prince having three hits and knocking in three runs, Tyler Rickert getting three hits and knocking in two, and Kaden Sullivan with a multi-hit game as well. The winning pitcher was Josh Plumier who entered in the sixth and struck out the side.

It was the biggest comeback in program history.

The second game didn't see nearly as much drama, primarily because Kaden Sullivan took the mound and shut down the Patriots after coming in to relieve starter Deron Swanson in the third.

David Miller hit a solo home run in the first inning and then scoring remained scarce through the next several innings.

The Cougars then broke open the scoring in the top of the fifth with a Sam Pesa solo home run and consecutive RBI-doubles by Brunson and Miller gave Saint Francis a 7-1 lead.

The Cougars paved their way to a 7-2 victory and a sweep over the Patriots to split the four-game series.

Kaden Sullivan got the win to start the season 1-0 striking out five in four and a third inning of relief.

The Cougars resume play next Friday when they travel to Pikeville, Kentucky for a four-game series against the University of Pikeville Bears (4-6) with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 pm.