WILLIAMSBURG, KY. – Ravens Softball was mere inches away from grabbing the lead and momentum Tuesday afternoon but lost to University of the Cumberlands.

A diving play by the Patriots left fielder helped send the Ravens to the elimination side of the NAIA Opening Round bracket, as No. 1 Seed Cumberlands defeated the No. 2 Ravens, 5-1.

The Ravens had something cooking in the top of the third after Kassidy James singled, Baylee Knorr reached on an error and Clare Heitz singled to load the bases with one out. However, Patriots left fielder Jade Gainer made a diving catch on Chloe Strickland's sinking line drive, then Aniyah White made a lunging attempt to snag Natalie Sheffield's line drive to end the inning without the Ravens scoring a run.

UC took the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a 2-run home run. The Ravens battled in the sixth inning when Heitz was hit by a pitch. Abby Reynolds pinch ran for Heitz and then scored when Strickland sent another looping line drive into left – this time getting under Gainer's glove – to cut the Patriots lead to 2-1.

Cumberlands added 3 runs in the bottom of the sixth to take control of the game, closing out the 5-1 win with a 1-2-3 seventh inning.

James led the Ravens with a pair of hits as the team notched 5 total base knocks and recorded a pair of walks. The Ravens left eight runners on base, failing to cash in on scoring opportunities.

Bailey Selvage pitched 5.2 innings and was charged with 4 runs. Kera Willoughby got the final out in relief.

The Ravens (40-15) now shift to the elimination side of the bracket and are tentatively scheduled to play Wednesday afternoon – weather pending – against the winner of Coastal Georgia and St. Francis. Check www.ravenathletics.com for schedule updates as Opening Round administrators determine potential game times.