MSC Tournament Page  |  Box Score

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Top-seeded Cumberlands' (Ky.) four-run fourth inning proved to be the difference in the Patriots' 6-2 win over fifth-seeded Campbellsville (Ky.) tonight in the Mid-South Conference Baseball Tournament at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Cumberlands (44-9) advances to play second-seeded Cumberland (Tenn.) at 10 a.m. CT on Sunday in the championship game. The Patriots -- making their fifth straight appearance in the championship game -- must beat the Phoenix twice on Sunday to secure a fifth consecutive tournament title.

Cumberlands took the 4-0 lead in the fourth inning thanks to Max Harper's two-run single and later in the inning, Trent Prokes' RBI single to chase home Harper. The two singles were the only hits for the Patriots in the first eight innings.

Campbellsville -- who outhit the Patriots 11-4 in the game -- chipped away at the deficit with a run in the fifth and sixth innings.

Tanner Park hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Henry Wright drove home a run with a groundout in the sixth. Campbellsville (32-19) had other chances to get closer but stranded 10 baserunners in the game.

The weather reared its ugly head following the seventh inning with rain and ultimately lightning delays. A five-hour and 17-minute delay forced the postponement of tonight's scheduled championship to Sunday.

Cumberlands added some insurance in the bottom of the eighth inning. Charlie Muniz hits a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 5-2, and three batters later Edwin Martinez singled home a run for the 6-2 advantage.

Stuart Tharle picked up his third win of the season, allowing two runs on seven hits in 5-plus innings. The Patriot bullpen closed the game with four scoreless innings, the final three from JD Price, who picked up his ninth save of the season.

Campbellsville's Lorenzo Gonzalez and Antony Gilbert each finished with three hits to lead the Tigers.