LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland baseball suffered a tough loss Tuesday afternoon, surrendering three runs in the ninth inning to fall 4-3 to Bryan College at Ernest L. Stockton Field - Woody Hunt Stadium.

The Phoenix (24-8-1) carried a 3-1 lead into the final frame, but the Lions (15-14) rallied with clutch hits and a three-run ninth inning to steal the victory. Cumberland outhit Bryan 12-8 but struggled to get the big hit today, leaving 13 runners stranded, missing key opportunities to extend their lead.

Cumberland struck first in the opening inning rallying with two outs. Preston Welchel walked followed by a Wilser Then single and a Dylan LaRue hit by pitch.  With the bases full, Toshiki Kuriya was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, scoring the first run of the game. 

Bryan answered in the second as DH Cade McCarty singles with two outs. He moved up to second on a wild pitch before scoring on a Logan Stradley single up the middle to level the score at 1-1.

The Phoenix regained the lead in the third as Welchel roped a triple to right-center and scored on Then single to left.

 In the sixth, Rafael Garcia laced a double down the line to start the inning. Trenton Duchsherer was looking to move Garcia to third with a sacrifice bunt, but an error by Bryan's first baseman as he missed the throw allowed Garcia to score, giving Cumberland a 3-1 advantage.

Cumberland's pitching staff held Bryan in check for most of the game, with Logan Baskin delivering four strong innings, allowing just one hit while striking out six. Marcelo Saldana followed with two shutout innings before the Lions broke through in the ninth.

In the ninth, CU turned to Grayson Cole to get the save, but the Lions had other plans. Cade Cook legged out an infield single to start the rally. Chris Hall drew a walk and Stradley delivered an RBI double down the left-field line to score one and put runners on second and third. Cumberland loaded the bases with an intentional walk and Caleb Ramsey followed with a two-run single to right, putting the Lions on top. 

Welchel led off the bottom of the ninth with his fourth hit of the game. After the Lions got the next two Phoenix out, Kuriya walked to push the tying run to second. But Bryan ended the game with a foul out to get the win. 

Welchel led the Phoenix at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two runs scored, while Then added three hits and an RBI. Grayson Cole (1-1) took the loss after allowing three runs in the ninth.

Cumberland will look to bounce back this weekend as they travel to Georgetown for a three-game conference series.