COLUMBIA, Ky. – Cumberlands (Ky.) scored eight of its nine runs across the first three innings as the fourth-ranked Patriots earned a series-opening win over the Lindsey Wilson softball team on Friday afternoon at Sparks Park.

Despite taking a tie game into the second inning, the visitors kept their foot on the gas and ultimately pulled away to win 9-3.

Five different Blue Raiders recorded hits for the home side, including Sam Hartman and Brylee Pickerell who connected on home runs to drive in all three of their team's runs.

The latter of two struck first in the bottom leg of the first inning. With two outs on the board and Nora Epley aboard on a lead-off walk, Pickerell launched her first home run of the season on a 2-1 count to left-center field. The hit knotted the game at 2-2 after the Patriots had opened the scoring in their half of the first frame.

Cumberlands restored its lead with a three-piece in the second and third innings. Then, in the bottom of the fourth, Hartman led off with her third home run of the year, sending a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence to trim the deficit to 8-3.

The Patriots went on to add one more run in the fifth and from there the two sides went scoreless.

Kayden Murray was credited with the loss after dealing 2.1 innings, striking out three, and allowing eight earned runs on five hits.

K'Asia Palmer and Grace Adams combined to throw 4.2 innings of relief and surrender just one run on four hits.

Lindsey Wilson and Cumberlands return to Sparks Park at 1 p.m. CST on Saturday, March 22 for a series-ending doubleheader.