JACKSON, Tenn. – Cody Ferrell drove in three runs and Brodie Ross collected two hits and scored twice in Cumberland’s 7-3 victory over Union University in the second game of Friday’s doubleheader at Fesmire Field. CU dropped the opener, 1-0, in eight innings on a bloop single by Brett Pawlan.

The Bulldogs (20-17, 7-7 TranSouth) managed just two hits in the opener against Union hurler Will Irvin (4-2), who walked one and struck out five in the complete game. Cumberland had just four baserunners in the entire game.

Clint Barnes had a two-out single against CU starter Chipper Smith in the eighth. On a 2-1 pitch he took off for second base, taking Sam Lind with him, and Pawlan’s high pop fell in short rightfield near the line. Ferrell was playing deep to cut off any doubles and was unable to reach the ball before it hit. Barnes never stopped running on the play and scored ahead of the throw for the lone run of the game.

Smith (4-6) was the tough-luck loser, allowing just four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in 7.2 innings.

In the second game Ross, Tyler Alford and Will Henderson all singled with two outs in the second, with Henderson’s shot to rightcenter plating Ross and pinch-runner Antonio Butler scoring on a wild pitch.

CU added a run in the fourth when Lind doubled to leadoff and scored on a two-out single to right for a 3-0 advantage. Ross tripled to leadoff the fourth and scored on another wild pitch for a 4-0 edge.

Union (18-13-1, 6-6-1) got on the board in the fourth with a double from Cole McAdams and a single to center by R.J. Rayborn. In the fifth Barnes walked and Danny Grimm single to right, putting runners on the corners.

Pawlan singled home a run, ending the day for CU starter Keith Kirby, and Irvin moved the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt. After a walk to McAdams, a groundout by Kian Jost plated another run, cutting the Bulldog lead to 4-3.

Cumberland struck for three insurance runs in the seventh, starting with a solo homer to left by Cory Urquhart, his only hit in the twinbill and second home run of the season. Josh McGee and Mike Mandarino both singled with two outs before Ferrell belted a two-run double to leftcenter, giving CU a 7-3 lead.

Kirby (3-3) got the win, working four-plus innings and giving up three runs on seven hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Devin Stovall tossed the final three innings for his fourth save, allowing one hit with three walks and four strikeouts.

Jared Davis (0-4) suffered the loss, giving up seven runs on 10 hits in 6.2 innings. The righthander retired 10 of 11 batters before Urquhart’s home run.

The two teams finish the series Saturday at Noon.