McKENZIE, Tenn.--Cumberland softball came up clutch late in both games to take a 2-0 series lead over Bethel after the first two games.
In game one, Cumberland overcame five errors in the field to pull off an 8-6 win. The Phoenix jumped up 6-0 before Bethel came back to score five runs heading into the final inning. Dee Dee Dunn hit a clutch two-run double to push across two insurance runs and then Cumberland held off the Bethel rally to hold on for the victory.
Ashton Whiles singled home Allie Burleson for the first run of the game in the top of the first. Mariah Clark roped a double to score Kenzie France and Ashtyn Blair hit a two-out single to score Whiles for a 3-0 lead.
Clark hit a three-run home run in the third inning to give the Phoenix the big 6-0 lead.
In the bottom half, Bethel chipped away scoring two runs the first run came on an errant back pick by Blair that went into center field and the second run was scored on a single by Alexa Thrasher.
Bethel tacked on three runs in the fifth scoring two an error and a third on a single from Jade Brailler for a 6-5 Phoenix lead after five innings.
In the top of the seventh with the bases loaded and two outs, Dunn roped a clutch double to push the Phoenix up 8-5. Bethel scored one on an error in the seventh, but on the same play, Cumberland ended the game by throwing Kayla Gillespie out at second trying to advance.
Clark threw all seven innings for the complete game allowing just three earned runs on eight hits. She also added three hits and four RBI with a homer. Whiles posted three hits and two runs scored and Blair also had a three hit game.
The second game was a pitchers' duel before the Phoenix broke it wide open with five runs in the seventh inning.
Emily Copper tossed a complete game giving up just two runs on six Wildcat hits in the win.
Bethel scored in the first inning and Wildcat starter Madison Haught held the Phoenix bats hitless the first time through the lineup. Cumberland had their first baserunner in the fourth when Ashley Evans reached on a throwing error to lead off the inning, she advanced all the way to third on the error. Burleson drove her in with an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1.
Haught and Cooper went back-and-forth in quick innings allowing just two baserunners combined, one on each side, in the bottom of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings.
Haught got two quick outs in the top of the seventh and then Cumberland came alive. Blair and Abby Peach both singled with two outs, Blair advanced to third on a passed ball and then error pushed her across for the go-ahead run. Evans singled to load the bases and Burleson had another RBI single to score another run. Kenzie France followed that with a triple to unload the bases for five runs.
Bethel threatened with their most runners of any inning in the game and pushed across one run, but could not come back in the game.
The Phoenix and Wildcats will complete the series with games three and four starting tomorrow at noon.
