LEBANON, Tenn. – Cumberland Softball put on an impressive display at the plate, sweeping Bryan College in today's double-header with two big wins.
Beard got things started for Bryan with a triple to right field and came home on an RBI single from Bunty to give Bryan an early 1-0 lead. However, that would be the only run the visitors could muster against Cumberland's defense.
Cumberland quickly responded as Ashley Evans led off with a single and later scored on a bases-loaded walk to Karsyn France, tying the game at 1-1. Sara Brogdon followed with an RBI single to left field, bringing in Jacey Hatfield and Abby Chappell to give the Phoenix a 3-1 advantage.
In the second inning, Evans continued her strong day at the plate with another single, later coming around to score on a hit by
Hailey Donato and a fielding error, extending the lead to 4-1. In the third inning,
Karley Daughrity roped a double to right-center, setting the stage for
Brylee Bartley, who delivered an RBI single to push Cumberland's lead to 5-1. Donato kept the rally alive with an infield hit, plating
Kara Wheeler to make it 6-1.
The sixth inning added assurance for the Phoenix as Chappell singled to start the frame, followed by a hit from Brogdon. Daughrity then lifted a sacrifice fly to advance runners, and Bartley capitalized with another RBI single, bringing in Chappell for the final run of the game at 7-1.
Ashley Evans Reached base multiple times, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk. Sara Brogdon had a strong day at the plate with three hits, two RBIs, and a run scored, providing a key spark for the offense. Brylee Bartley collected two big RBI singles and scored once, helping extend Cumberland's lead. Karley Daughrity smacked a key double and contributed with a sacrifice fly to set up another scoring opportunity.
Game two opened with Bryan capitalizing on early miscues from Cumberland. A throwing error allowed a batter to reach, and a well-executed double steal saw her cross home plate, giving Bryan a 1-0 lead. An RBI single pushed another run across, putting the visitors up 2-0 after the first half-inning.
Cumberland wasted no time responding. In the bottom of the first, Jacey Hatfield drew a walk before Abby Chappell delivered a clutch RBI double down the right field line, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Bryan tacked on another run in the second inning as their two lead-off batters set the table with back-to-back singles. Beard knocked in a run with a ground ball to second, extending their lead to 3-1. However, the Phoenix defense stood tall, executing a crucial double play to prevent further damage.
After a quiet second inning, Cumberland's bats exploded in the third. Anna Lay led off with a perfectly placed bunt single, setting the tone for an offensive onslaught. Ashley Evans followed with another bunt single, and moments later, Lay came around to score on Hailey Donato's RBI single to left field. With the bases loaded after a Hatfield bunt single, Chappell struck again, roping a single to center that, along with an error by the outfield, cleared the bases and gave Cumberland a 4-3 lead.
The momentum only grew from there. Karsyn France lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home another run, and Sara Brogdon smashed a double to right center, plating Chappell. Karley Daughrity kept the rally going with a walk before Brylee Bartley drove in another run with a single to right field. Evans capped off the inning with a two-RBI single up the middle, solidifying a commanding 10-3 advantage.
Cumberland's defense locked down Bryan the rest of the way, allowing no runs in the final four frames. In the bottom of the fifth, Lay reached on an infield single and showcased her speed with back-to-back stolen bases. Evans then delivered the final blow, crushing an RBI triple to deep center, bringing Lay home and sealing the 11-3 victory.
Evans was sensational at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Chappell added three RBIs of her own with a pair of timely hits. Lay's speed proved pivotal, as she reached base three times and swiped two bags. The Phoenix lineup combined for 14 hits in the victory, showing off their power in a well-rounded effort.
The Phoenix will be on the road to take on conference rivals, RV Freed-Hardeman University on March 28, at 2:00 PM for a double-header.
