PULASKI, Tenn.--Cumberland erupted for 20 runs on 17 hits to roll past Tennessee Southern, 20-8, Tuesday afternoon at Bobby Walker Field. The Phoenix scored a run in every inning en route to a run-rule victory over the former conference foes. 

Cumberland finished with 20 runs on 17 hits, drawing four walks and being hit by pitch six times. The Phoenix collected four home runs, two doubles, and a triple, driving in 18 runs overall. On the mound, Cumberland pitchers combined to allow eight runs (six earned) on nine hits, striking out 10 over eight innings.

The Phoenix lineup had production from top to bottom, highlighted by extra -base hits. Cohl Proctor went 3-for-5 with a triple, home run, and four RBI, while Aiden McDonald finished 2-for-4 with a homer and five RBI. Yuito Suzuki added a pair of doubles and drove in three runs, and Dylan LaRue went 2-for-4 with a home run, three runs scored, and an RBI. Wilser Then scored four times and reached base four times, while Cole Freeman delivered a pinch-hit home run, finishing 2-for-2 with three RBI.

Kyle Niebow earned the win, working the opening inning of a "Johnny-Whole-Staff game" and allowing one unearned run. Jordan Jewell followed with two innings, striking out two, while Dom Guistino was charged with three earned runs in the fourth. Lucas Frank surrendered one run in the fifth, before Kai Hanasaki steadied the game with two scoreless innings, striking out five. John Sullivan closed things out with a clean eighth inning.

Cumberland struck quickly in the opening frame, plating five runs in the first inning to take early control. LaRue opened the scoring by coming home on a hit-by-pitch to Proctor, followed shortly by Wilser Then scoring on another hit-by-pitch drawn by JT Kelenic. Aiden McDonald then worked an RBI walk to push the lead to three before Yuito Suzuki lined a two-run single down the right-field line to make it 5-0. Tennessee Southern answered with a run later in the inning on an RBI double.

The Phoenix continued to apply pressure in the second when LaRue lifted a solo home run down the right-field line, extending the lead to 6-1. Cumberland added another run in the third as Suzuki doubled to left to score McDonald, though the Firehawks responded with a two-run homer to trim the margin to four.

Cumberland delivered a decisive blow in the fourth inning. McDonald launched a grand slam to left field, scoring Kelenic, Proctor, and Then to push the advantage to 11-3. Tennessee Southern countered with four runs in the bottom half, capitalizing on wild pitches and defensive miscues to pull within 11-7.

The Phoenix steadied the game in the fifth, scoring three times. Then drove in a run with a single up the middle before LaRue scored on a wild pitch, and Proctor capped the inning with an RBI triple to right-center. Tennessee Southern added a run of its own on an RBI double, but Cumberland still led comfortably.

Cumberland tacked on another run in the sixth when Suzuki came home on a passed ball, then continued to stretch the lead in the seventh as Proctor crushed a two-run homer to left. The Phoenix closed the scoring in the eighth inning when Cole Freeman launched a three-run homer to left-center, sealing the 20-8 victory.

The Phoenix will be back at home for a four-game set against St. Francis this weekend. The series has been pushed up a day to begin with a doubleheader on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Game times have not been set for Friday or Saturday at this time.