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Cumberland University

Toshi
14
Winner Tennessee Wesleyan TENNESSE 44-12
12
Cumberland (TN) CUMBERLA 39-18-1
Winner
Tennessee Wesleyan TENNESSE
44-12
14
Final
12
Cumberland (TN) CUMBERLA
39-18-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Tennessee Wesleyan TENNESSE 3 0 4 0 3 0 3 1 0 14 18 2
Cumberland (TN) CUMBERLA 0 6 0 5 0 0 1 0 0 12 14 0

W: W. Butler (1-1) L: Cole, Grayson (2-2) S: C. Goffar (1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Cumberland Falls to Tennessee Wesleyan 14-12 in Elimination Game


KINGSPORT, Tenn.--Cumberland University's season came to an end Wednesday night in a wild 14-12 loss to Tennessee Wesleyan in an NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round elimination game at Hunter Wright Stadium. The Phoenix closed the year with a 39-18-1 record.

In a game that featured 26 runs, 32 hits and four lead changes, Tennessee Wesleyan used a three-run seventh inning to pull ahead for good, then held off multiple Cumberland threats late.

The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. After loading the bases with one out, Corbin Shaw drove in two runs with a single, and Devin Dixon added a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0.

Cumberland answered immediately in the bottom of the second. After Wilser Then reached on an error, Toshiki Kuriya blasted a two-run home run to left to cut the lead to 3-2. Dylan LaRue tripled, and Gaines Haussin singled him home to tie the game. With two outs, Javy Beal reached on an error, and Drew Dalton-Akiwumi followed with a two-run double down the left-field line. Preston Welchel capped the inning with an RBI single to give the Phoenix a 6-3 lead.

Tennessee Wesleyan reclaimed the lead in the third, scoring four runs on five hits. Dixon doubled home a run, followed by a two-run single from Kruise Newman. Geremy Garcia added an RBI double to make it 7-6.

The Phoenix responded with five runs in the fourth. Beal tied the game with a solo homer to right. Dalton-Akiwumi singled and later scored on another RBI single from Welchel. Kuriya tripled to right-center to drive in two, and LaRue brought him home on a groundout, giving Cumberland an 11-7 advantage.

The Bulldogs chipped away with three more runs in the fifth. Garcia singled home a run, and Shelly followed with a two-run triple to tie the game again at 11-11.

Tennessee Wesleyan took the lead for good in the seventh. After Newman doubled, Jack Stevens and Brayan Espinoza delivered back-to-back RBI singles. Kolton Reynolds added a sacrifice fly to give the Bulldogs a 13-11 lead.

Cumberland loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom half of the inning. Then drew a walk to score Beal, cutting the deficit to 13-12, but the Phoenix left the bases loaded and couldn't bring home the tying run.

The Bulldogs added an insurance run in the eighth, as Dixon singled, advanced on a bunt and wild pitch, and scored on Garcia's sacrifice fly.

The Phoenix had runners on in both the eighth and ninth innings, but could not mount another rally. Kuriya, who finished 3-for-6 with four RBIs, struck out to end the game.

Beal reached base four times, scoring three runs and driving in one. Dalton-Akiwumi and Welchel both had two hits and two RBIs. Then reached base four times and scored twice.

Cumberland used four pitchers, with Grayson Cole taking the loss in relief. Tennessee Wesleyan's Wes Butler earned the win, and Cameron Goffar picked up the save.

Tennessee Wesleyan outhit Cumberland 18-14 and advanced in the Kingsport Bracket.
 
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Players Mentioned

Grayson Cole

#41 Grayson Cole

RHP
6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
R-R
Drew Dalton-Akiwumi

#2 Drew Dalton-Akiwumi

IF
5' 8"
Senior
S-R
Gaines Haussin

#45 Gaines Haussin

IF
6' 1"
Junior
R-R
Toshiki Kuriya

#5 Toshiki Kuriya

IF
6' 1"
Senior
R-R
Preston Welchel

#22 Preston Welchel

OF
5' 11"
Senior
L-L
Dylan LaRue

#23 Dylan LaRue

C
6' 0"
Junior
S-R
Wilser Then

#8 Wilser Then

C/IF
6' 2"
Junior
R-R

Players Mentioned

Grayson Cole

#41 Grayson Cole

6' 3"
Redshirt Senior
R-R
RHP
Drew Dalton-Akiwumi

#2 Drew Dalton-Akiwumi

5' 8"
Senior
S-R
IF
Gaines Haussin

#45 Gaines Haussin

6' 1"
Junior
R-R
IF
Toshiki Kuriya

#5 Toshiki Kuriya

6' 1"
Senior
R-R
IF
Preston Welchel

#22 Preston Welchel

5' 11"
Senior
L-L
OF
Dylan LaRue

#23 Dylan LaRue

6' 0"
Junior
S-R
C
Wilser Then

#8 Wilser Then

6' 2"
Junior
R-R
C/IF