HENDERSON, Tenn. -- Baseball Defeats Freed-Hardeman to Open the Three Game Series and Hold off the Late Game Rally by the Lions.

Cumberland held off a strong challenge from Freed-Hardeman to secure a hard-fought 7-6 road win. The Lions jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, taking advantage of a pair of hits and some aggressive baserunning. But the Phoenix didn't flinch. In the third inning, they responded with a key rally sparked by a throwing error that allowed two runners to move into scoring position. Preston Welchel came through in the clutch, lacing a two-RBI single up the middle to tie the game at 2-2.

The Lions briefly regained the lead in the fifth inning on a solo home run from Trenton Duchsherer, but Cumberland had an answer once again. In the top of the sixth, the Phoenix loaded the bases and shifted the momentum. Dylan LaRue stepped up and delivered the biggest hit of the night — a bases-clearing double to left center that gave Cumberland a 6-3 lead. Later in the inning, an RBI groundout pushed the lead to 7-3.

From there, Cumberland's pitching and defense took over. The Phoenix bullpen worked around several Freed-Hardeman scoring threats, including stranding runners in scoring position in both the seventh and ninth innings. Timely pitching, strong defense, and clutch hitting proved to be the formula as Cumberland held off the Lions and came away with the win after a late scare where the Lions scored three more runs after a rally in the ninth inning. 

Several Phoenix players stepped up in key moments. Dylan LaRue led the way at the plate, going 2-for-5 with three RBIs thanks to his bases-clearing double.
Preston Welchel added two RBIs of his own with a crucial single in the third. On the mound, Quinlan Wiley earned the win pitching 7.1 innings giving up 11 hits while only allowing four runs, Wiley also struckout two batters. Jake Green also provided solid outings out of the bullpen and recording the save, helping shut down the Lions in the late innings and escaping the rally to open the series with a win. 

Wiley improved to 6-1 on the season and continues to have great outings on the mound. Jake Green recorded his second dave of the 2025 campaign. 

The Phoenix will be back action tomorrow for a double-header in Henderson against Freed-Hardeman. Game one starts at 12:00 PM.