WILLIAMSBURG, Ky.--Cumberland opened Mid-South Conference play on Friday afternoon but fell to No. 6 Cumberlands 12-2 in game one of the three-game series.

The Phoenix struck first and held an early lead before the Patriots used a steady offensive attack and a seven-run sixth inning to pull away. Cumberland managed just two hits in the contest while Cumberlands collected 16 hits.

Caleb Royer provided the big swing for the Phoenix, launching a solo home run in the second inning to give Cumberland its first run of the game. Royer finished the day 1-for-2 with a home run, two RBI, and was also hit by a pitch. Dylan LaRue accounted for Cumberland's other hit of the afternoon, finishing 1-for-3.

Logan Baskin made the start and worked the first five innings, allowing seven runs on 11 hits while striking out five. John Sullivan came on in relief in the sixth inning and allowed three runs on three hits in one-third of an inning. Watson Storey finished the frame, surrendering two runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning.

Derick Andiarena went 2-for-4 with three RBI while Dariel Castillo finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Ronald Almanzar added two hits and an RBI, and Zamaurion Hatcher also recorded two hits including a solo home run. Clay Shelton added three hits, going 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Wesley Culley earned the win for the Patriots, tossing a complete game while allowing just two runs on two hits. Culley struck out five and walked two over seven innings.

Cumberland jumped in front in the second inning when Royer blasted a solo home run to left field to give the Phoenix a 1-0 lead.

Cumberlands answered in the bottom of the inning as Zamaurion Hatcher connected on a solo home run to even the score at 1-1.

The Patriots took control in the third inning with three straight hits. An RBI single from Andiarena and a run-scoring double from Ronald Almanzar pushed Cumberlands ahead 3-1.

After a quiet stretch through the middle innings, the Patriots extended the lead with two runs in the fifth. Cumberland added its final run in the sixth as LaRue singled and reached third on an error. He came in to score on an RBI groundout from Royer.

Cumberlands plated seven runs on seven hits in the sixth inning to break the game open. Shelton doubled home a run, Andiarena doubled home two more, Johnboy Rittenhouse added an RBI double to before an error plated one more. Pedro Vasquez tripled in a run and Veloz doubled in the final run. 

The series continues on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 11:00 a.m. Central Time.