HENDERSON, Tenn. – The Lions baseball team (18-19, 11-6 MSC) dropped game one of a three-game set against Cumberland University (19-17, 6-7 MSC) 12-7 on Friday night.

The Lions jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Von Watson plated Riley Perks with one out in the inning. But the Phoenix responded in the top of the third with four runs to take the 4-1 lead.

Josh Sears was able to cut the deficit in half with his 14th home run of the season, but a six-run fifth inning by Cumberland made it a 10-2 contest.

Two passed balls by Cumberland in the fifth scored two runs for the Lions to make it 10-4, but the Phoenix got one of those runs back in the top of the sixth. In the bottom half of the inning, Hunter Beecham hit a one-out solo shot, and then the Lions were able to add two more runs in the bottom of the seventh to make it 11-7 before Cumberland added its 12th and final run in the eighth, which ultimately put the game out of reach.

Beecham finished the contest 2-for-3 with two RBI's, alongside Sears's 2-for-4, two RBI performance.

Tyler Duskin pitched four strong innings in relief, striking out seven batters without surrendering a walk.

The series will continue and close with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. The Lions will honor their seniors for their final home game in between contests.