HENDERSON — In their final home series of the 2025 campaign the Freed-Hardeman University Lions put up a valiant effort in the late frames, but fell short 7-6 to the (RV) Cumberland University Phoenix.
Trace Anderson and
Cade Fuller both sent the first pitch they saw into the outfield to tally back-to-back singles.
Jordan Carter kept the hits going with his single to center plating Anderson to take a lead for the Lions (27-17, 8-5 MSC). A double-steal attempt was only partially successful with Fuller scoring to give FHU the 2-0 lead.
A throwing error put runners on second and third with two outs before a single gave Cumberland (30-13-1, 10-3 MSC) the tying two runs.
Dawson Massengale would later drive in a run with a sacrifice fly before the Phoenix managed to plate four runs in the top of the sixth inning. Fuller appeared to have tied the game with one swing of the bat, but his hit to right-center fell short of the wall so the sophomore had to settle for a two-run double. The Lions were unable to scratch the tying run across to end the 7-6 game.
The Lions had 15 hits in the game with
Trace Anderson,
Jordan Carter, and
Cade Fuller all collecting three base hits.
Austin Johnson followed with two hits.
Matthew Riley (5-2) had a quality start on the hill, striking out eight Phoenix in five innings of work.
Scoring Summary
Bottom 1
After
Trace Anderson and
Cade Fuller led off with singles
Jordan Carter hit a single to score Anderson.
Cade Fuller was able to score on the front end of a double-steal attempt.
FHU 2, CU 0
Top 3
The Phoenix knotted the game with a two-run single.
FHU 2, CU 2
Bottom 4
Dawson Massengale lifted a sacrifice fly to plate Carter.
FHU 3, CU 2
Top 5
Cumberland led off with a solo home run.
FHU 3, CU 3
Top 6
A run managed to score on an errant throw before a bases-clearing double plated three more runs.
FHU 3, CU 7
Bottom 8
After leading off with a single, Anderson was able to score on Carter's RBI single.
FHU 4, CU 7
Bottom 9
Fuller's two-out double to left-center scored two runs to make it a one run game before the Phoenix collected the final out.
FHU 6, CU 7
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Up Next
The Lions will conclude the series at home with a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 p.m. on April 19 with a celebration to honor senior players.
