Lebanon, Tenn.-- Cumberland softball makes a sixth inning comeback to grab game one of the series. It was a battle at the dish with solid pitching performances on both sides, but the Phoenix ultimately came out on top with seven total hits.

Bailey Griffith earns the win for CU (19-13, 8-8 MSC), allowing just one run on three hits in the circle. Kenzie France went 3-for-3, including the hit that sent two Phoenix scoring. 

Both pitchers cruised through the first two innings as they dueled it out. Madison Koczersut’s broke up a string of six-straight outs in the bottom of the third as she recorded the first hit of the game with a leadoff double and France immediately followed with a single to left. The Phoenix would remain scoreless, however, as Quintana punched out two hitters and Evans grounded out to second.

The Wildcats took the lead at the top of the fourth when Wheeler hit the lone homer of the game out to center field, the first hit Bethel recorded after Griffith sat down the first 10 Wildcats. Cumberland threatened to tie it up or take the lead as Koczersut took the bat with two runners on, but Jezabelle Quintana induced a pop up to send it into the fifth.

Griffith handled business through the fifth despite a solid swing from Emma Johnson that doubled to right center. France hit a leadoff single at the bottom of the inning but Cumberland was unable to move her up as they struggled to get a timely hit.

Bethel had a chance to spread their favor in the sixth with runners on first and third, but Griffith forced a swinging strikeout to keep it a 1-0 game.

Cumberland started a two-out rally in the bottom half as Chappell doubled to right-center, Hatfield and Koczersut both drew walks to load the bases to set France up nicely. She came through with with a single up the middle, to score both Chappell and Hatfield for the 2-1 lead.

Griffith held down the final inning as the Wildcats were unable to come up with any runners, allowing the Phoenix to secure the victory. 

Cumberland will be back in action tomorrow to finish out the series with a doubleheader starting at noon.