Patriots Punch Ticket to NAIA Quarterfinals: A #2 Seed Showdown!

The road to the 2026 NAIA National Championship is officially set, and the University of the Cumberlands women’s lacrosse team is heading into the tournament with some serious momentum. After a dominant season, the Patriots have secured the #2 seed in the national field and are ready to make a deep run.

Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming quarterfinal matchup and the Patriots’ historic season.

The Matchup: Patriots vs. Gyrenes

The quest for the red banner begins on Monday, May 11th, as UC takes on the #7 seed Ave Maria University.

  • When: Monday, May 11th 5 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. CT
  • Where: NAIA National Tournament Quarterfinals
  • Previous Meeting: The Patriots already hold a victory over the Gyrenes this year, winning 13-6 back on February 20th. The Patriots are 8-0 all-time vs the Gyrenes.

The winner of this clash will advance to the semifinals to face either #3 SCAD-Savannah or #6 Marian.

A Season for the Record Books

Cumberlands enters the tournament with a staggering 19-1 record, having already swept both the AAC Regular Season and Tournament titles. This marks the program’s eighth consecutive appearance in the NAIA Tournament, but this year’s squad feels particularly special, leading the country in several major categories:

  • Total Goals: 389 (1st in NAIA)
  • Assists: 235 (1st in NAIA)
  • Caused Turnovers: 275 (1st in NAIA)
  • Goals Against Average: 4.69 (1st in NAIA)

Players to Watch

The Patriots’ success is fueled by a “total team” effort, but a few individual performances have been truly elite:

  • Ashlee Baker: The AAC Player of the Year is a playmaker extraordinaire, leading the NAIA with 66 assists and 128 total points.
  • Mikayla Kimsey: A wall in the net, Kimsey leads the nation with a 58.0% save percentage.
  • Koral Hadac: The defensive specialist has racked up 46 caused turnovers, the highest mark in the country.
  • Emma Rittman: A force all over the field, Rittman leads the NAIA with 63 ground balls and ranks 4th in draw controls.

What’s At Stake

With 13 wins against ranked opponents this season, the Patriots have proven they can beat the best. Now, it’s about finishing the job on the national stage. They have played 6 of the 8 teams in the NAIA Tournament. Their only loss came to #1 Benedictine (in OT by one goal) — the only team in the field they haven’t defeated, as they did not face Keiser this year.

Champions! Patriots Sweep Championship Day to Claim 7th MSC Title

The top-seeded University of the Cumberlands baseball team pulled off a historic comeback on Saturday at Bowling Green Ballpark. Facing elimination, the Patriots (46-8) defeated #3 seed Cumberland University twice in a single day to capture their seventh Mid-South Conference Tournament Championship in program history.

The title run was defined by resilience, as UC closed out the tournament with five consecutive elimination-game victories to secure the red banner.

Game 1: Patriots Force the Decisive Matchup (UC 14, CU 4)

In the afternoon opener, the Patriots’ bats exploded for 14 runs on 14 hits to force a winner-take-all finale.

  • The Big Bats: Derick Andiarena set the tone early with a two-run homer in the fourth. He finished the game with a home run and 5 RBI. Pedro Vasquez also went deep, driving in three runs.
  • On the Mound: Ben Rohrbach provided elite relief, tossing 5.2 innings and striking out seven while allowing only one run.
  • The Clincher: A massive six-run sixth inning blew the game open, extending the UC lead to 10-3 and effectively silencing the Phoenix.

Game 2: Walk-Off Magic for the Championship (UC 7, CU 6)

The nightcap was a heavyweight battle that saw the Patriots rally from a late-inning deficit to win it in walk-off fashion.

  • Early Lead: UC jumped out to a 3-1 lead through five innings, highlighted by another solo shot from Andiarena.
  • The Comeback: After Cumberland U took a 6-3 lead in the eighth, the Patriots responded immediately. RBI plays from Jay Flynn and Andiarena tied the game at 6-6 heading into the ninth.
  • The Moment: In the bottom of the ninth, with runners in scoring position, Chris Seay crossed home plate on a wild pitch to secure the 7-6 victory and the MSC trophy.

Key Performers of the Day

The Patriots’ championship effort was led by several standout seniors:

Player Stats
Derick Andiarena 2 Home Runs, 6+ RBI across both games
Jay Flynn 3 hits in Game 1; clutch RBI in the Game 2 comeback
Ben Rohrbach 7 Strikeouts in a high-pressure relief win
Stuart Tharle Earned the Game 2 win with a scoreless 9th inning

What’s Next: NAIA Opening Round

The celebration won’t last long as the Patriots prepare for the national stage. Cumberlands has earned the right to host the NAIA Opening Round in Williamsburg.

  • Kickoff: Monday, May 11th
  • Location: Williamsburg, KY

Stay tuned to Patriots Nation for bracket updates and ticket information as UC begins its quest for another World Series berth!

Go Patriots!

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