Baseball 4/23/2026 10:39:00 AM

Senior Day & Alumni Day Set as Phoenix Host Freed-Hardeman

LEBANON, Tenn.--The Cumberland Phoenix close out the 2025-26 regular season this weekend with a Mid-South Conference series against Freed-Hardeman at Ernest L. Stockton Field-Woody Hunt Stadium. The series begins with a Friday doubleheader set for 11:00 a.m. before concluding on Saturday at 12:00 p.m., where the program will honor its senior class following the game while also welcoming back former players for Alumni Day.

Cumberland enters the weekend at 21-24 overall and 8-7 in Mid-South Conference play, riding a three-game winning streak after a road sweep of Bethel. The Phoenix currently sit third in the league standings and will look to solidify their positioning heading into postseason play.

Freed-Hardeman comes in at 31-13 overall and 12-3 in conference action, sitting second in the MSC and boasting one of the most dynamic offenses in the NAIA.

The Phoenix offense has been one of the most explosive units in the country, ranking inside the top 15 nationally in slugging percentage (.549) and total bases (802) while sitting eighth in the NAIA with 76 home runs. Cumberland is hitting .317 as a team with 367 runs scored and 175 extra-base hits across 45 games.

A veteran lineup has powered that production, led by senior Wilser Then, who is putting together a dominant campaign with a .421 batting average, 13 home runs, and 49 RBI while posting a .851 slugging percentage. Dylan LaRue continues to be a force in the middle of the order, hitting .371 with 13 home runs and 46 RBI, while Gaines Haussin (.363, 8 HR, 31 RBI) and Aidan McDonald (.322, 5 HR, 39 RBI) provide consistent run production. Caleb Royer adds power with 13 home runs and 28 RBI, giving Cumberland multiple long-ball threats throughout the lineup.

On the mound, Cumberland is expected to turn to a trio of experienced starters. Mateo Santos leads the staff with a 6-2 record and a 4.55 ERA across 59.1 innings. Logan Baskin has been a strikeout weapon with 62 punchouts and a 9.40 K/9 rate, while Carter Whitefield has been the most efficient arm, carrying a 2.92 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 52.1 innings of work.

Freed-Hardeman enters the series as one of the most complete offensive teams in the country, hitting .333 as a club with a .552 slugging percentage and 67 home runs. The Lions also pressure defenses with their speed, ranking among the NAIA leaders with 144 stolen bases.

The Lion have a deep lineup. Brennen Gibson leads the charge offensively, hitting .399 with 11 home runs and 46 RBI, while Trace Anderson (.397, 7 HR) and Drake Blackwood (.379, 14 HR) provide additional power and consistency. Brooks Jones has been a run producer with 58 RBI, highlighting a deep lineup that features multiple hitters batting above .360.

On the mound, the Lions feature a solid rotation led by Colton Bryant (7-1, 4.31 ERA) and Jackson Fitzwilson (6-1, 4.80 ERA). Hunter McLemore plays both ways adds depth to the weekend rotation, while Joe Romines has been a key bullpen piece with three saves and a strikeout rate of 11.57 K/9.

Cumberland holds a commanding 66-30-1 advantage in the all-time series against Freed-Hardeman, including a 40-12-1 record at home. The Phoenix took two-out-of-three from the Lions to win the series last year in Henderson as well as beat Freed-Hardeman 13-5 in the conference tournament. However, despite three wins last season, Freed-Hardeman has taken six of the last 10 matchups.

The Phoenix will honor their senior class following Saturday's finale: Wilser Then, Cole Freeman, Charlie Rocca, Cohl Proctor, Kyle Nyblod, Ben Sills, Logan Baskin, Zach Lee, Dylan LaRue, Aidan McDonald, Wyatt Hurt, Caleb Royer, Dillon Johnson, Jordan Sheridan, and Ethan Greer.

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Players Mentioned

#21 Logan Baskin: LHP; 6' 1"; Graduate Student; L-L

#4 Gaines Haussin: IF; 6' 2"; Senior; R-R

#29 Wyatt Hurt: OF; 6' 0"; Junior; R-R

#23 Dylan LaRue: C/OF; 6' 0"; Senior; S-R

#26 Aidan McDonald: OF; 5' 9"; Senior; R-R

#17 Kyle Nyblod: RHP; 6' 0"; Graduate Student; R-R

#13 Cohl Proctor: IF; 6' 1"; Senior; R-R

#11 Charlie Rocca: IF; 6' 1"; Senior; R-R

#44 Jordan Sheridan: IF/LHP; 6' 4"; Senior; L-L

#18 Ben Sills: OF; 6' 0"; Junior; R-R

Players Mentioned

#21 Logan Baskin
: 6' 1"; Graduate Student; L-L
: LHP

#4 Gaines Haussin
: 6' 2"; Senior; R-R
: IF

#29 Wyatt Hurt
: 6' 0"; Junior; R-R
: OF

#23 Dylan LaRue
: 6' 0"; Senior; S-R
: C/OF

#26 Aidan McDonald
: 5' 9"; Senior; R-R
: OF

#17 Kyle Nyblod
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student; R-R
: RHP

#13 Cohl Proctor
: 6' 1"; Senior; R-R
: IF

#11 Charlie Rocca
: 6' 1"; Senior; R-R
: IF

#44 Jordan Sheridan
: 6' 4"; Senior; L-L
: IF/LHP

#18 Ben Sills
: 6' 0"; Junior; R-R
: OF