LEBANON, Tenn. – The Bethel Wildcats came up short at Cumberland University Tuesday afternoon falling to the Phoenix 3-2. The Bat Cats outhit the Phoenix 8-6 but left nine runners on base.
Cumberland scored two in the first and added a single run in the eighth which proved to be the difference.
Bethel's Nicholas Proto doubled down the left field line in the third driving home Lucas Riddick. Sebastian Cortes had an RBI single in the ninth but Cumberland's Thomas Garlart snuffed out the Wildcats rally and picked up the save. James Hatcher was the winning hurler while Bethel's Bretton Hazlewood was charged with the loss.
The Wildcats and Phoenix met for the 32nd time with Cumberland now holding a 20 -12 advantage in the series. Bethel had won the last two games between the two.
It was Bethel's first road game of the season. The Cats fell to 8-5 on the year. Cumberland improved to 3-7 on the young season.
The Wildcats return home Friday for a noon doubleheader opening up SSAC play against Mobile. The first pitch will be at noon. The squads will play a single game Saturday at noon.
