SPARTANBURG, SC. – The Cumberland Phoenix put on an offensive clinic against Spartanburg Methodist, securing a dominant 18-5 victory with an explosive first inning that set the tone for the rest of the game.

Cumberland wasted no time lighting up the scoreboard, piling on eight runs in the first inning. Wilser Then got things started with an RBI walk, bringing in Drew Dalton-Akiwumi for the first run of the game. Toshiki Kuriya followed up with an RBI single to extend the lead. A costly error by Spartanburg Methodist allowed Wilser Then and Preston Welchel to score unearned, before Aiden McDonald added another run with an RBI single. Hunter Moser continued the rally with a two-run single, and Preston Welchel finished off the massive inning with an RBI single to give Cumberland an early 8-0 lead.

Spartanburg Methodist fought back in the second inning, scoring two runs on an E. Franz RBI single, but Cumberland responded quickly in the third. Drew Dalton-Akiwumi singled up the middle to bring in Trent Duchsherer, and shortly after, Welchel delivered a two-RBI single, scoring Dalton-Akiwumi and McDonald. A double play still allowed Moser to cross home plate, putting Cumberland ahead 12-2.

The Phoenix added to their lead in the fifth as Dylan LaRue grounded out but managed to bring in Welchel. A defensive miscue by Spartanburg allowed Wilser Then to score, pushing the lead to 14-2.

Spartanburg Methodist attempted to rally with a run in the fifth and back-to-back solo home runs in the sixth from D. Astudillo and C. Greene, but Cumberland shut down any hopes of a comeback with another offensive burst in the seventh. Kuriya scored on a wild pitch before Dalton-Akiwumi ripped a two-RBI single, and Moser added another RBI hit, sealing the 18-5 victory.

Cumberland's offensive firepower was on full display, with contributions from Moser, Dalton-Akiwumi, Kuriya, and Welchel, who all had multiple RBIs. The Phoenix also capitalized on Spartanburg Methodist's errors, turning defensive mistakes into runs and controlling the game from start to finish. Moser finished the game going 4-4 with three RBI's and walked two times. 

Carter Rost recorded the win on the mound today pitching five innings giving up eight hits on four runs scored. Rost also recorded five strikeouts. 

With another strong performance, Cumberland continues to build momentum as they look ahead to UT Southern who is coming to Woody Hunt Stadium on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 1:00 PM.