Cumberland Gap is 9-1 against Washburn since March of 2015 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Friday. The Cumberland Gap Panthers will host the Washburn Pirates at 5:30 p.m. Cumberland Gap knows how to get runs on the board -- the squad has finished with ten runs or more in their past three games -- so hopefully Washburn likes a good challenge.
For some reason, the away team has come away with the win the last four times Cumberland Gap and Claiborne have met, but the home crowd finally got their W on Thursday. Cumberland Gap walked away with a 14-11 victory over Claiborne. With that win, the Panthers brought their scoring average up to 7.3 runs per game.
Neil Bunch looked comfortable as he pitched three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit.
Tate Murphy
| 03/13/25 vs Claiborne | 4 |
| 03/07/25 @ Barbourville | 4 |
| 03/11/25 @ Claiborne | 3 |
| 03/04/25 vs Oneida | 1 |
| 02/27/25 @ West Greene | 1 |
At the plate, Tate Murphy and Hunter Gibson did most of the damage at the plate: Murphy scored four runs while getting on base in four of his five plate appearances, while Gibson got on base in all five of his plate appearances with three runs, three RBI, and one triple. Murphy has become a key player for Cumberland Gap: the team is undefeated when he posts at least two runs, but 1-2 otherwise. Noah Meyer was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-3.
Meanwhile, Washburn didn't have quite enough to beat West Greene on Thursday and fell 4-3.
David Bailey was cooking despite his team's loss, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-3. He also hit a double, marking his first of the season.
Washburn's defeat dropped their record down to 1-5. As for Cumberland Gap, their victory bumped their record up to 4-2.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Friday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Cumberland Gap has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 11.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Washburn struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8.5 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Cumberland Gap skirted past Washburn 5-4 in their previous meeting back in March of 2024. Does Cumberland Gap have another victory up their sleeve, or will Washburn turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
