MIDWAY, Ky. -- The Midway softball team welcomed No. 3 Cumberlands (Ky.) to William G. Clark Memorial Field on Wednesday (March 29), looking to bounce back after suffering two tough losses the day prior at IU Southeast (Ind.).

The Eagles bounced back in a big way in the opener as they handed the third-ranked Patriots just their third defeat of the season with a 6-2 victory. Unfortunately for the home team, Cumberlands battled back and won game two, 14-4, to secure the split.

Following the result, Midway moves to 13-11 overall, while the Patriots go to 27-3.

Game 1: Midway 6, Cumberlands 2

The opener saw the Eagles strike first scoring two runs on three hits in the opening frame. With runners on second and third, Kennadi Thompson (Louisville, Ky.) stepped to the dish and ripped a one-out single up the middle to give her team a 2-0 lead.

Following a perfect top of the third, Midway was back at it in the bottom half scoring two more on two hits. Taylor Dukate (Owensboro, Ky.) sent and RBI single down the left field line, while Makenna Talcott (Gray, Ga.) drove in a run after reaching on a fielder's choice pushing the lead to 4-0.

After seeing the Patriots score on in the fourth, Midway's offense went back to work when they scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Makayla McDowell (Nicholasville, Ky.) helped her cause, hitting a two-run double off the center field fence to push Midway's advantage to 6-1.

Cumberlands got within four after scoring one in the sixth, but Midway's defense turned an important double play in the seventh to clinch the upset victory.

In the circle, McDowell turned in the best performance of her career with a complete game performance. She allowed just two runs on nine hits en route to the first victory of her collegiate caeer.

Taylor Dukate (Owensboro, Ky.), Allbert, and Thompson led the way at the plate with two hits apiece.

Game 2: Cumberlands 14, Midway 4 (5 Innings)

Cumberlands came out firing in the nightcap scoring three runs on three hits in the opening frame. The Eagles responded in the bottom half the first getting a two-run single from Kennadi Thompson that cut the deficit to 3-2

Unfortunately for the home team, the offensive onslaught by the Patriots continued as they would go on to score four in the second and third innings stretching their lead 11-2.

Makenna Talcott had an RBI single in the third and Taylor Dukate hit a solo home run in the fifth, but Patriots proved to be too much as they came away with the split following the 14-4 victory.

Breanna Beach was handed the loss for the Eagles allowing seven runs – six earned – on five hits.

Katie Rhodes led the way at the plate going 3-for-3 with two runs scored, while Allbert added a 2-for-3 day.

UP NEXT: The Eagles are scheduled to return to action on Sunday (April 2) when they travel to the 'Hoosier State' for a River States Conference matchup against St. Mary-of-the-Woods (Ind.).

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