HENDERSON, Tenn.--Cumberland struggled with the bats only collecting three hits and leaving 10 runners on base to allow the Lions to win the rubber match 6-1 and take the series. 

Cumberland (22-8-1, 12-2 MSC) dropped their first conference series of the season and their first series since Indiana Wesleyan back in February. The Phoenix only collected just two hits and left 10 runners on, seven in scoring position. The Phoenix went 0-for-11 with two outs in the game. 

The Lions scratched the scoreboard first in the second inning as the Freed-Hardeman catcher Mason Libla jacked a two-run home run to right field. Freed added one more after Anthony Jarvis hit a single and moved up on a failed pickoff attempt allowing Alex Smithson to hit him in on a double for a 3-0 lead. 

Cumberland scratched in a run in the fourth. Juan Moreno led off the inning with a double. The bases were loaded after an error and a walk for Chewy Sanders. Colton Bryant induced a doubleplay ball to get two outs, but scoring Moreno to cut into the lead at 3-1. 

The Phoenix left runners in scoring position in the fifth and left the bases loaded in the sixth as Cumberland could not get the timely hit all day. 

The Lions added some insurance runs in the eighth on a three-run home run by Jarvis to push the lead out to 6-1 and then Freed-Hardeman shut down the Phoenix in the ninth to get the win. 

Ethan Torres suffers the loss after throwing 6.2 innings. He allowed just three runs in the three run second inning for the Lions. He scattered nine hits and struck out three. 

Colton Bryant picked up the win for Freed-Hardeman throwing 6.0 innings giving up just two hits and one run on five strikeouts. 

Cumberland will be back in action next weekend as the Phoenix host Campbellsville for a Mid-South Conference series.