LEBANON, Tenn. – Cumberland Softball put on an impressive offensive display, securing the sweep over Oakwood University with 36 hits in two games. 

Cumberland struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Abby Chappell delivered an RBI double to bring home Ashley Evans, who had reached on an error. Oakwood responded in the second inning with a two-run homer from Toni Sims, briefly giving them a 2-1 lead.

However, Cumberland quickly answered in the bottom half of the second. Karley Daughrity and Anna Lay both singled, with Lay later scoring on a throwing error, bringing home two unearned runs to put Cumberland back on top 3-2.

Cumberland blew the game open in the fourth inning, plating six runs to take full control. After  Evans drove in a run with an RBI single, Jacey Hatfield followed with another RBI single to make it 5-2. The highlight of the inning came when Chappell crushed a three-run homer, extending the lead to 8-2. Sara Brogdon and Daughrity kept the rally going with back-to-back hits, with Daughrity bringing in another run to cap off the inning at 9-2.

Cumberland added one final insurance run in the fifth inning when Evans tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly from Hailey Donato, making it 10-2. Solid defensive play and pitching held Oakwood scoreless for the remainder of the game, securing the win.

Abby Chappell was 3-3 with a homerun, four RBI's and a double. Ashley Evans went 3-4 scoring three runs. Evans also recorded a triple and a stolen base. Karley Daughrity was 2-3 at the plate with an RBI and a stolen base. 

With their bats on fire and a dominant fourth inning, Cumberland controlled the game and took home a convincing victory.

Game two started with Oakwood taking a brief lead in the top of the first inning after Hawkins reached on an error and later scored on an RBI single by Jones. However, Cumberland responded immediately, posting four runs in the bottom half of the inning.

 Ashley Evans ignited the offense with a leadoff single and promptly stole second. Hailey Donato followed with an RBI single to bring Evans home and tie the game. Karsyn France, Sara Brogdon, and Karley Daughrity each delivered RBI hits, giving Cumberland a commanding 4-2 advantage.

Cumberland extended their lead in the second, adding another run when Anna Lay laid down a perfect bunt single, stole second, and later scored on an error, pushing the score to 5-2. Their offensive barrage continued in the third inning, with five more runs crossing the plate. Brogdon, Daughrity, Evans kept the bases busy, while key hits from Donato, Hatfield, and Chappell extended the lead to 10-2.

The home team put the game away in the fourth inning with a seven-run explosion. Addison Melton came off the bench to deliver a two-RBI single, followed by an RBI single from Hatfield. Chappell then delivered the biggest blow, crushing a two-run homer to left field. Karsyn France and Brogdon added to the total with consecutive RBI hits, pushing the score to 19-2.

Ashley Evans led the Phoenix who went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs, Karley Daughrity, who had three hits, two RBIs, and a stolen base, Abby Chappell, who delivered a home run, three RBIs, and two hits, and Sara Brogdon, who contributed three hits, two RBIs, and scored twice.

Madison Lancaster kept Oakwood in check, allowing only three hits and striking out seven batters. The defense was equally impressive, limiting Oakwood's opportunities after the first inning.

With the victory, Cumberland looks to stay hot as they take on Bryan College, March 26th on Wednesday at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM at Billy Dee Ross Stadium.