Bethel Drops Series Opener to Cumberland
MCKENZIE, Tenn. - Despite outhitting the Cumberland Phoenix and putting together multiple scoring innings, the Bethel Lady Wildcats dropped their series opener to Cumberland 8-6 on Friday afternoon at Lady Wildcat Park.
The Wildcats and Phoenix traded runs early, with Bethel plating single runs in the first and second innings before scoring two in the third to take a 4-3 lead. The Wildcats added another run in the fourth and one more in the fifth to stay in front 6-5 heading into the final innings.
Cumberland used a three-run sixth inning to swing the momentum and reclaim the lead, then added two insurance runs in the seventh to secure the 8-6 win.
Bethel finished the game with 11 hits, led by Kalani Hernandez, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Briley Auvenshine added two hits and an RBI, while Kinsley Nichols recorded two hits, an RBI, and two stolen bases. Kayleigh Dunn provided a big swing with a solo home run, and Amme Benson doubled and drove in a run.
In the circle, Amelia Sherrill went 5.1 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits while striking out two. Auvenshine threw the final 1.2 innings in relief.
Cumberland was led offensively by Karley Daughrity with three hits, while Hailey Donato drove in two runs for the Phoenix.
The Cats dropped their seventh in a row and fell to 8-15 overall and 1-6 in the league.
The Phoenix improved to 7-11 and 2-2.
The programs have met 52 times, with Cumberland holding a 29-23 advantage between the two.
The teams meet in a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.
Live stats:
https://www.bethelathletics.com/sports/sball/2025-26/boxscores/20260327_sps9.xml
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