LEBANON, Tenn. – Mistakes and missed opportunities were the name of the game, as the game-winning runs in both games were unearned in Bethel University’s doubleheader sweep, 9-8 and 5-4, over seventh-ranked Cumberland on Sunday at Ernest L. Stockton Field.

The Wildcats (19-10, 7-2 TranSouth) swept the three-game series, the first-ever sweep for Bethel against the Bulldogs (18-16, 6-6). The visitors took advantage of seven Cumberland errors in the twinbill, plating two runs in the seventh inning of the first game, one unearned, and another unearned run in the ninth to win the opener, 8-7. In the second game yet another unearned run scored in the sixth inning for a 5-4 victory.

The other difference in the series was CU’s inability to score against the Bethel bullpen, which tossed 10.2 scoreless innings over the three contests, allowing 11 hits and four walks with eight strikeouts.

Cumberland led the first game, 7-5, entering the seventh inning, but the Wildcats forced extra innings thanks to three two-out hits and a bobble in the outfield.

CU starter Keith Kirby got the first two outs of the inning, but Brian Ferrell singled to left on an 0-2 pitch and Lance Jarreld worked a walk. Chris Cain then singled down the rightfield line, scoring one run, and Ryan Critchelow had trouble gathering the ball for the Bulldogs, allowing Jarreld to score from first on the play to tie the contest at seven.

Another CU miscue opened the door for the Wildcats in the ninth inning. Tyler Roberson led off with a single and Ferrell bunted, but Josh McGee’s throw to second was low and got into rightcenter, putting runners on second and third. With one out Celtic Rush singled to right, plating the eventual winning run.

In the second game both teams scored twice in the first inning and two more runs in the fifth before the final error of the day helped Bethel score again in the sixth.

Brett Adams drew a one-out walk and McGee was unable to field Cody Crocker’s grounder to his left. Roberson was then hit, loading the bases, and Ferrell hit a nubber off the end of the bat to short for a fielder’s choice, plating the run.

Cumberland had a chance in the seventh, with Cory Urquhart singling with one out and Mike Mandarino drawing an intentional walk, but McGee’s liner to right was caught by Jarreld to end the contest.

Kirby allowed six earned runs on 12 hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out four. CU’s Cody Ferrell (2-2) took the loss for the Bulldogs in the opener, giving up an unearned run on two hits in two innings.

Gavin Lindsey, the third Bethel hurler, got the win, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings. BU starter Jason Overton lasted 4.1 innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits. Michael Freeman worked three scoreless innings before giving way to Lindsey with the bases loaded in the eighth.

In the second game Bethel starter Gary Ward (5-0) allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings, walking one and striking our four. Jason Foley picked up his first save with one scoreless inning.

Mike Mandarino gave up four runs on six hits in 4.1 innings for CU, but Christian Jennings (1-1) took the loss, allowing an unearned run on no hits in 2.2 innings of work.

The Bulldogs started quickly in the first game, with Sam Lind drawing a walk before McGee was hit with two outs. Nick Sydnor then hit the first pitch from Overton over the wall in rightcenter for his fourth home run of the season and a quick 3-0 lead.

But the Wildcats responded with two runs in the second, as Rush and Jordan Stack both singled with one out and Adams dumped a two-out single over the third baseman’s head, plating Rush. Crocker then fisted a single into short rightcenter, in-and-out of the glove of a diving Brodie Ross, scoring another run.

In the third Mandarino walked to leadoff and with two outs, Cody Ferrell drew a free pass. Will Henderson then lifted a high pop down the leftfield line that three players converged on, but Stack dropped the ball right along the foul line in fair territory, allowing Mandarino to score. Ross then laced a double off the base of the leftfield wall, plating two runs for a 6-2 advantage.

Stack doubled down the rightfield line in the fourth and Adams’ one-out single to rightcenter plated the run for the Wildcats. BU got two more runs in the fifth when Roberson led off with a single and Brian Ferrell followed with a two-run homer to right, his fourth of the year, cutting the Bulldog lead to 6-5.

CU added a run in the bottom of the inning, starting with singles from Henderson and Ross with one out, putting runners on the corners. Pinch-hitter Daniel Harrison ripped a single down the rightfield line, giving Cumberland a 7-5 edge.

Even after Bethel tied the game, the Bulldogs loaded the bases in the eighth thanks to an error, a double by Mandarino and an intentional walk to McGee, but Sydnor grounded to first and Rush got the force at the plate before Cody Ferrell popped out to end the threat.

In the ninth Henderson singled to leadoff and went to second on a bunt by Ross, but Tyler Wheeler popped out and Urquhart grounded out to end the game.

Bethel started quickly in the second game, with consecutive doubles from Crocker and Roberson to leadoff the contest. With two outs Chris Cain singled home another run for an early 2-0 edge.

CU tied the contest in the bottom of the inning with a single from Lind and a two-run homer down the leftfield line by Mandarino, a fastball off his shoe-tops for his ninth round-tripper of the year.

In the fifth Jarreld singled with one out and Cain walked. Jarreld took off for third on a pitch in the dirt and Tyler Alford’s throw was a little low and got by McGee, allowing the runner to score. Ryne Bivens then singled home Cain for a 4-2 Bethel lead.

CU came back in the bottom of the inning, with Alford singling to left to leadoff and Urquhart following with a single. Pinch-runner Antonio Butler and Urquhart both stole, putting runners on second and third, and with two outs McGee singled up the middle.

Adams knocked the ball down behind the bag but first baseman Bivens was already moving toward the mound to be the cut-off man for the centerfielder. Butler scored easily and Urquhart never slowed down, and the throw from Adams was wild to the plate, allowing the Bulldogs to tie the game.

Cumberland hosts Tennessee Wesleyan in a single game on Wednesday at 2 p.m. before traveling to Union University for a three-game series next weekend.