LEBANON , Tenn. – Tyler Wheeler hit a game-tying grand slam and added another RBI and Cory Urquhart’s solo homer to leadoff the eighth put Cumberland ahead for good in a 9-7 victory over 19th-ranked Freed-Hardeman on Friday at Ernest L. Stockton Field-Woody Hunt Stadium.

The Bulldogs (30-24, 14-10 TranSouth) overcame a five-run deficit in the game, winning the club’s final regular season contest of the year. CU will face Union University in the first round of the TranSouth Championships on Monday at 3:30 p.m.

Wheeler hit a pinch-hit grand slam in the sixth inning, tying the contest at five, and Cumberland added two more runs on the seventh on RBI singles from Wheeler and pinch-hitter Daniel Harrison. Freed-Hardeman (36-19, 16-8) tied the game in the eighth, but Urquhart’s solo homer put CU ahead for good and Nick Sydnor added a sacrifice fly for the final run of the game for the home team.

Mike Mandarino (9-2), the third CU hurler, got the victory despite giving up the tying run in the eighth. He worked 1.2 innings of relief, giving up one hit and two walks before getting a game-ending doubleplay.

CU starter Cody Ferrell allowed five runs on five hits in five innings, walking five and striking out five. Logan Neal tossed 2.1 innings of relief, giving up two runs on four hits with one walk, two hit batters and two strikeouts.

FHU used five pitchers in the contest, with starter Charlie Overturf allowing one run on six hits in five innings of work. Matt Singleton gave up three runs on one hit and did not get an out, while Drew Suttles allowed three runs on six hits in two innings. Joe Creasy (1-1) took the loss, giving up two runs and three walks in one-third of an inning.

The Lions scored in the second inning to take an early lead when Jake Todd and Lincoln Lakoff both walked with two outs and Kyle Dearing’s single to center plated a run.

Evan Mansell walked with one out and Jesse Hykes followed with a double for FHU in the third. Joe Mike’s single through the right side plated both runners and Kirkland Wheeler’s double down the rightfield line gave the visitors a 4-0 edge.

CU got on the board in the fourth with three straight two-out singles from Richie Seaton, Brodie Ross and Nick Sydnor, cutting the deficit to 4-1.

Mansell walked again to start the fifth, went to third on a failed pickoff attempt and scored on a wild pitch.

But the Bulldogs tied the game in the sixth, starting with walks to Seaton and Sydnor with a single from Ross in-between, loading the bases. Wheeler pinch-hit for Foster and blasted a grand slam to right on a 2-2 pitch, tying the contest at five.

CU took the lead in the seventh when Ross and Sydnor both singled with two outs and Wheeler and Harrison followed with RBI singles for a 7-5 advantage.

Back came the Lions in the eighth, as Todd walked and Robert Prieto singled before a sacrifice bunt by Dearing. Pete Trollinger was then hit, loading the bases, and Mansell walked, forcing in a run. Hykes then singled to right, scoring one run, but Seaton’s relay nailed Trollinger at the plate, the potential go-ahead run.

Urquhart’s solo homer to leftcenter to leadoff the bottom of the inning gave the Bulldogs the lead again. Sam Lind and Mandarino both walked and Craig Monson later walked, loading the bases. Sydnor’s sacrifice fly to left plated the final run for CU.