COLUMBIA, Ky. – It has been nearly a full month since the Lindsey Wilson softball team last played at Marilyn D. Sparks Park. This weekend, however, the Blue Raiders begin a 10-game homestand with the fourth-ranked team in the country, Cumberlands (Ky.).

The Patriots, who have yet to play a true road game this season, are 16-6 overall with eight wins in their last nine games. Last weekend, Cumberlands swept then-(RV) Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) by outscoring the Lions 15-2 and posting two shutouts.

Reigning Mid-South Conference Player of the Week Carly Oliver batted 9-for-18 against Freed-Hardeman, including five doubles to help her break the Cumberlands' career program record. The Patriots' infielder actively leads the conference with 27 runs batted-in and holds the second-best batting average at 0.470.

Oliver's teammate Amber Gainer enters the weekend on a seven-game hitting streak, during which she is 10-for-20 with three doubles, three walks drawn, and three hit-by-pitches. The senior has also stolen more bases – 14 – than any other runner in the conference.

On the rubber, Lindsey Shope and Jessica Cord sit first and third, respectively, in earned-run average while each sporting a league-best seven wins.

The Blue Raiders are coming off a series win at Georgetown (Ky.) to open conference play. Lindsey Wilson hit 0.366 with 34 hits, including 10 for extra bases. In fact, the Blue Raiders stand atop the Mid-South standings for doubles – 46 – and rank second for total extra base hits – 60 – behind Campbellsville (Ky.).

In five games last week, Brooklynn Becker contributed 10 hits and six runs scored, Kaiden Rodgers drove in seven runs on seven hits, and Atavya Fowler smacked three home runs en route to eight RBIs.

In the circle, defending Mid-South Pitcher of the Week Hallie Roberts is 2-0 in her last two starts with zero earned runs allowed. Meanwhile, Kayden Murray continues to lead the conference in total strikeouts – 73.

Lindsey Wilson and Cumberlands met six times in 2024, including twice in the postseason. Senior Olivia Franceschi tallied six RBIs on five hits in the season series to pace the Blue Raider offense.

Live coverage of this weekend's series will be provided by the Lindsey Wilson Sports Network.

Game one is slated for 2 p.m. CST on Friday, March 21, followed by games two and three at 1 and 3 p.m. CST on Saturday, March 22 at Marilyn D. Sparks Park.