LEBANON, Tenn.-- The No. 22 Lions of Freed-Hardeman countered Cumberland's fifth-inning comeback, ultimately prevailing with a 12-7 victory after scoring nine runs in the final four innings.

The Lions took an early lead, with Jordan Carter drawing a walk and advancing to second on a groundout by Brady Spring. Adam Smithson's foul out to right field didn't deter them, as Cade Fuller walked to keep the momentum going. JJ Pruneau then singled to shortstop, bringing Carter home for the first run of the game. Cumberland's defense managed to stop the bleeding there, as they held Freed-Hardeman to just one run despite the bases being loaded.

The second inning saw Freed-Hardeman extending their lead to three runs. Lane Lawson kicked things off with a walk, followed by Cam Madding getting hit by a pitch, advancing Lawson to second. Dawson Massengal then executed a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners. Carter capitalized on the opportunity, hitting a double down the left field line, bringing in both Lawson and Madding. 

Cumberland struggled to respond in the bottom of the second, ending the inning without any hits. 

The score remained in Freed-Hardeman's favor until a big fifth inning for the Phoenix granted them their first lead of the game. After holding the Lions at bay at the top, Riley Light started things off with a single to center field, then advanced to second on a throwing error by the pitcher during a pickoff attempt. P. Welchel then walked, with Light advancing to third on a wild pitch.
Zo Zuniga stepped up with a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Light to score an unearned run for Cumberland. Preston Welchel advanced to second on another wild pitch. Seth Sweet-Chick kept the momentum going with a double down the left field line, bringing Welchel home to narrow the gap to 3-2.

Ian Krump reached first on a throwing error by the third baseman, allowing Sweet-Chick to score and tying the game at 3-3. Brandon Boxer then singled to center field, advancing to second on the throw, and Krump scored to give Cumberland a 4-3 lead. Boxer then stole third base, setting up Javier Beal for a groundout that brought Boxer home, extending Cumberland's lead to 5-3.
At the top of the sixth inning, Freed-Hardeman responded to Cumberland's rally with a strong offensive showing of their own. Christian Presley led off with a double to right-center field, advancing to third on a balk. Lawson then walked, with Austin Johnson coming in as a pinch runner for him. Madding followed with a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Presley to score and bring Freed-Hardeman within one run at 5-4.

Freed-Hardeman wasn't done yet, as Massengal singled to right-center, and J. Carter doubled down the left-field line, advancing Massengal to third. Brady Spring then came through with a single to right field, bringing in both Massengal and Carter to give the Lions a 6-5 lead.

At the bottom of the sixth, Cumberland looked to respond, but Matthew Riley, who had replaced Colton Huntt on the mound for Freed-Hardeman, managed to hold them off. Dee Triplett singled up the middle and advanced to second on a groundout by Light, but Cumberland couldn't capitalize, leaving the score at 6-5 in favor of Freed-Hardeman heading into the seventh inning.

At the top of the seventh inning, Freed-Hardeman continued their offensive onslaught. Fuller started the inning with a solo home run to left field, extending Freed-Hardeman's lead to 7-5. 
Presley walked and managed to steal second base, and Madding walked to put two runners on. Both Presley and Madding then executed successful stolen base attempts, with Presley stealing third and Madding stealing second.

Massengal capitalized on the scoring opportunity, hitting a double to right-center field, bringing in both Presley and Madding to extend Freed-Hardeman's lead to 9-5. Carter followed with a single through the left side, bringing in Massengal to make it 10-5. Carter then stole second base, and Spring walked to put two runners on base. Smithson singled to right field, bringing in both Carter and Spring, and an error by the first baseman allowed Smithson to advance to second, making it 12-5 in favor of Freed-Hardeman.

At the bottom, Cumberland tried to mount a comeback. Krump was hit by a pitch, and Boxer walked, advancing Krump to second. Beal then singled to center field, loading the bases. Holyk followed with a single to center field, bringing in Krump to make it 12-6. Triplett then singled to right field, bringing in Boxer to cut the lead to 12-7. However, Cumberland's rally was cut short as Light grounded into a double play, ending the inning with Freed-Hardeman holding a 12-7 lead.

In the eighth and ninth innings, Freed-Hardeman held Cumberland scoreless and secured the 12-7 victory.

The teams will finish out the series tomorrow, starting at 12 PM CT.