Bowling Green, Ky.-- Cumberland softball picks up an opening round victory over Tennessee Southern in the Mid-South Conference Tournament. Cumberland’s six run first inning propels them to the next round, despite the hard fought efforts from the Firehawks. 

Madison Koczersut hit the lone homer of the game while Anna Lay and Ashton Wiles recorded two hits each. Emily Cooper headed into the game at the top of the third and earned the win. 

The Phoenix came out of the gates swinging, recording six of their seven runs in the first inning including a huge grand slam from Koczersut. Griffith shut down the Firehawks at the top while the Phoenix scored six on six hits at the bottom. 

Ashton Wiles earned two RBIs with a double to right center, sending Ashtyn Blair and Ashley Evans home for a 2-0 score. With loaded bases, Koczersut stepped up to the plate and connected on her first swing for her seventh home run of the season. 

Tennessee Southern came alive at the top of the third, cutting the 6-0 deficit down to just a two run game. The Firehawks recorded four runs on five hits in the inning before Emily Cooper checked in and threw a quick out to end the threat. 

The Firehawks would continue their offensive tear in the fourth with one run on two hits to make it a 6-5 game. Anna Lay responded with a leadoff triple at the bottom and was scored on a sacrifice fly out from Evans to push CU’s lead back out to two.  

Both pitchers settled down in the circle to throw clean innings for the remainder of the game. Tennessee Southern had a solid opportunity to tie it in the seventh with runners on second and third and two outs, but Cooper forced a groundout to advance the Phoenix into the next round of the tournament. 

Cumberland will be back at it again tomorrow at 4 pm for a double elimination game versus Georgetown.