| March 24, 2023 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Southern | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Cumberland (TN) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | X | 7 | 8 | 0 |
| Pitching | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win: B. Griffith (7-6) | 7.0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Loss: K. Murdock (1-4) | 4.0 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
| Batting | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Cain (UTS) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| K. Ezell (UTS) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| H. Barnes (UTS) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A. Burleson (UTS) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| K. Lawrence (UTS) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A. Hornbuckl (UTS) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A. Lay (CU) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| A. Whiles (CU) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| A. Chappell (CU) | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
LEBANON, Tenn.--Cumberland softball takes game one of the series behind a complete game from Bailey Griffith 7-1 over Tennessee Southern.
Cumberland (14-10, 4-6 MSC) played a clean game defensively and had timely and situational hitting to come out on top in the first game of the series.
Griffith (7-6) scattered six hits allowing just one run late in the game. Griffith punched out eight batters to improve to 72 strikeouts on the season and lower her ERA to 2.68.
Ashton Whiles went 2-for-2 with three RBI and scored one run. Leadoff hitter Anna Lay was on base all four times with two hits and two walks. She swiped two bases and scored two runs. Abby Chappell added two hits including a double with two RBI.
In the third inning, the Phoenix got the scoring started on a two-RBI single from Whiles to score Ashley Evans and Lay. The next batter, Chappell singled through the left side driving in another run as Ashtyn Blair scored for a 3-0 lead headed to the fourth.
In the fourth inning, Kenzie France led off the inning with a single up the middle. Lay slapped a double down the left field line and Evans hit into an RBI groundout to score pinch-runner Abbie Peach.
The Phoenix did not slow down in the fifth, Whiles led off with a single and Chappell roped a double. Jacey Hatfield drew a walk to load the bases allowing Madison Koczersut to hit a sacrifice fly. Tennessee Southern worked around the jam and managed to get out of the inning giving up just one run, 5-0 Cumberland.
The Firehawks finally managed to score in the sixth inning as Gilbreath grounded out to second base bringing in Cain. However, this was not enough to turn the tide, as Cumberland continued to score runs in the bottom half. A single, hit by picth, and a single from the first three batters for Cumberland loaded the bases. Whiles was walked bringing in another run. The Phoenix scored yet again as Chappell hit a sacrifice fly to center for the final score of 7-1.
Tennessee Southern and Cumberland will play the final two games of the series tomorrow at Billy Dee Ross Stadium. Cumberland will honor their seniors inbetween games. First pitch of game one is slated for 1:00 p.m. central time.
