lPULASKI, Tenn. – Cumberland spoiled Tennessee Southern's home opener Tuesday afternoon at Bobby Walker Field, using an early surge and steady offense to hand the Firehawks a 20–8 setback.
The Firehawks showed immediate fight in the bottom of the first. Anthony Pastrana singled to right and later scored when Cooper Phillips ripped a double down the left-field line to put Tennessee Southern on the board.
After Cumberland extended its lead in the early innings, the Firehawks answered again in the third. Masato Mizumori worked a walk before Phillips launched a two-run home run to center, trimming the deficit and igniting the home crowd.
Cumberland added a four-run fourth inning, but Tennessee Southern responded with its most productive frame in the bottom half. Carson Foote singled to start the rally, followed by walks to Pastrana and Mizumori. Foote crossed the plate on a wild pitch, and Phillips drove in another run with a groundout. Zach Chaney then reached on an error, allowing Mizumori to score, and Zac Wilson followed with an RBI groundout to cap a four-run inning and pull the Firehawks within striking distance.
The Firehawks added one more in the fifth when Foote singled and Pastrana doubled down the right-field line to drive him home, accounting for Tennessee Southern's final run of the afternoon.
Phillips led the Firehawks offensively, finishing with two hits, including a double and a home run, and driving in four runs. Pastrana went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Foote added two hits and scored twice. Chaney and Wilson each contributed an RBI, and Mizumori scored twice while drawing two walks.
On the mound, Jay Brandon got the start before the Firehawks turned to a string of relievers, including Royce Allen, Jackson Moon, Max Cassle, and Mac Etheredge, who each logged innings as Tennessee Southern worked through the Cumberland lineup.
Tennessee Southern hits the road next, traveling Friday for a twin bill against rival Bethel.
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