Matt Barker, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Freed-Hardeman Lady Lion Softball team suffered a pair of tough losses to in-state foe Cumberland University Tuesday evening, as they fell 5-3 in the opening game and 4-3 in the nightcap.

The Lady Lions (17-10) stayed relatively quiet in the opening game of the series, as they combined for just four hits in the 5-3 loss. Annalise Jarnagin did a majority of the damage in the opener, as she accounted for all three of FHU's RBI in the match-up after going 2-for-3 on the day with two doubles.

Mallory Spurlock (8-4) suffered her fourth loss of the season in the opener after working seven innings and allowing 10 hits and four earned runs while striking out five. Kayley Caplinger picked up the win for Cumberland after working seven innings and allowing just four hits and three earned runs while striking out three.

The Lions jumped out to an early 3-0 lead following the third inning, as Annalise Jarnagin connected on an RBI double to deep left field to score Caitlyn Carter, Makenzie Prince and Kristen Hunsicker and give FHU some early separation.

However, despite taking an early lead, the Phoenix (24-5) kept the Lady Lions quiet the remainder of the way while plating five runs of their own to hand FHU the 5-3 loss in the opener.

The Lady Lions continued to battle in the nightcap, but would come up just short in the 4-3 eight-inning loss. Makenzie Prince (8-4) took the loss for FHU in the circle despite pitching a solid game, where she allowed just seven hits and three earned runs while striking out an impressive 15 batters.

Caitlyn Carter and Annalise Jarnagin led the Lady Lions at the plate in the nightcap, as Carter went 2-for-3 with a triple and two scored runs while Jarnagin went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Similar to the opening game of the series, the Lady Lions jumped out to an early lead at the 3-2 mark following the third inning of play. However, despite taking a lead midway through the game, the Lady Lions were not able to hold on, as Cumberland plated one run each in the fifth and eighth innings to complete the sweep of FHU with a 4-3 victory.

With the Tuesday losses, the Lady Lions move to 17-10 on the season. Cumberland University moves to 24-5 on the season with the sweep.

UP NEXT: The Lady Lions are back in action Saturday, March 31st, as they host conference foe Hannibal-LaGrange University for a double-header slated for 12:00 PM at Morgan Stadium.