LEBANON, Tenn. – Chase Pilkenton’s three-run homer in the sixth inning put Bethel ahead for good and seventh-ranked Cumberland stranded six baserunners in the final three innings in a 6-2 loss Saturday at Ernest L. Stockton Field-Woody Hunt Stadium.

The game was delayed twice because of rain for a total of exactly three hours, including a two-hour-and-forty-five-minute stoppage after the top of the fifth inning.

CU starter Chipper Smith returned after the delay in a 2-2 game but was quickly greeted by the Wildcats (17-10, 5-2 TranSouth), who got a double from Lance Jarreld and a one-out walk by Ryne Bivens before Pilkenton hit a 2-0 pitch over Tarver Avenue in leftfield for this third home run of the season.

Bethel loaded the bases in the seventh on two singles and an international pass to Jarreld before an RBI groundout by Chris Cain pushed the lead to 6-2. Relievers Spencer Clifft and Turner Bush tossed five scoreless innings after the stoppage, stranding the bases loaded in the seventh and two runners in the eighth inning.

Cory Urquhart went 4-for-5 with a run scored for the Bulldogs (18-14, 6-4) and Daniel Harrison and Will Henderson each added two hits, as the 9-1-2 hitters in the order collected eight of the club’s 11 hits in the contest. Mike Mandarino drove in the team’s only two runs of the game with a two-run homer to centerfield in the first inning, his eighth of the year.

Smith (4-5) took the loss for Cumberland, allowing five runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings. The lefthander walked two and struck out seven. Devin Stovall tossed the final 3.1 innings, giving up one run on three hits with three strikeouts.

BU starter Joey Wilder worked four innings, allowing two runs on five hits with two strikeouts before the long rain delay. Clifft (2-2) tossed three-plus innings, giving up five hits with two walks and three strikeouts for the victory, while Bush posted his second save, striking out three and giving up one hit in two innings.

Bivens led off the Bethel fifth inning with a solo homer to left and JD Newsome followed with a single. Newsome went to second on a groundout and scored on a two-out single up the middle by Calen Crocker, tying the game at two before the long stoppage of play.

Once the teams returned, Jarreld doubled down the rightfield line to leadoff the sixth and Cain grounded out to first, moving the runner to third. Bivens walked before a Newsome strikeout, but Pilkenton’s blast put the Wildcats up for good.

Cumberland loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh on singles from Henderson and Urquhart and a walk to Harrison, but Mandarino grounded out to end the threat. In the eighth Josh McGee drew a leadoff walk and Nick Sydnor followed with a single, ending the day for Clifft.

Bush struck out Cody Ferrell and pinch-hitter Richie Seaton and Brodie Ross popped out to end the inning without the runners advancing from first and second bases.

Cumberland and Bethel will conclude the series Sunday with a 12:30 p.m. doubleheader. The Bulldogs host Tennessee Wesleyan on Wednesday at 2 p.m. as well.