LEBANON, Tenn. — In the final doubleheader of the 2026 campaign, the (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lions split with the Cumberland University Phoenix. In the first game of the day, the Phoenix plated four late runs to win, 8-7. The Lions followed that up with a 14-4 victory in eight innings to snatch game two.
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Game 1
(RV) Freed-Hardeman - 7
Cumberland - 8
The Lions (31-14, 12-4 MSC) got going early with a two-run homer from
Drake Blackwood in the first inning. Blackwood connected for another big fly in the fifth inning to make the Lions' lead 7-3.
The hosting Phoenix 22-24, 9-7 MSC) had two homers in the contest - both coming in the bottom of the sixth inning. The second was a two-run home run that gave the Phoenix the lead they would hold for victory.
Hunter Ryan went 3-for-3 from the plate, while
Drake Blackwood,
Brennen Gibson,
Brooks Jones, and
JJ Pruneau each connecting for two hits.
Colton Bryant had the start, striking out one batter in five innings.
Justin Smarr (0-2) was charged with the loss in 2/3 of an inning.
Scoring Summary
Top 1
After
Trace Anderson led off with a single,
Drake Blackwood smashed a two-run homer to take the early lead.
FHU 2, CU 0
Bottom 2
The Phoenix knotted things up with an RBI single and a sacrifice squeeze.
FHU 2, CU 2
Top 3
Brennen Gibson opened the inning with an infield single before
Brooks Jones followed with a single of his own.
JJ Pruneau drove both runners home with a double to right to re-take the lead.
FHU 4, CU 2
Top 4
The Lions added two more runs thanks in part to
Hunter McLemore's leadoff single.
Chase Eakes and
Hunter Ryan each intended to sacrifice their at-bat to advance the runner, but both beat out bunt singles. Anderson successfully lifted a sacrifice fly to score McLemore before Gibson drove in Eakes with a single.
FHU 6, CU 2
Bottom 4
A run was able to cross during a double play.
FHU 6, CU 3
Top 5
Blackwood launched his second big-fly of the day.
FHU 7, CU 3
Bottom 5
The Phoenix added a run with an RBI single.
FHU 7, CU 4
Bottom 6
A four-run frame completed the comeback for the hosts, with a solo shot, an RBI single, and a two-run homer highlighting the frame.
FHU 7, CU 8
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Game 2 (8 inn.)
(RV) Freed-Hardeman - 14
Cumberland - 4
The Lions (32-14, 13-4 MSC) were able to even up the series with a victory in run-rule fashion.
Brooks Jones got things going with a two-run homer in the first innings, but the Phoenix managed to tie things up by the third inning.
FHU then used two different five-run innings to take the big lead over Cumberland (22-25, 9-8 MSC). The Lions took advantage of a two-run double from
Drake Blackwood and a three-run two-bagger from
Alejandro Diaz to help secure the win.
Drake Blackwood drove three runs home with a 4-for-5 day from the dish.
Alejandro Diaz drove in four runners with his three hits. Meanwhile,
Trace Anderson had three hits, while
Brooks Jones and
JJ Pruneau each tallied two hits.
Hunter McLemore (6-2) earned the victory with a quality start where he struck out two batters.
Jackson Fitzwilson had his first bullpen appearance of the season and earned the save for his three innings of effort.
Scoring Summary
Top 1
Trace Anderson led off with a double down the line in left, only to score two batters later on
Brooks Jones' two-run blast.
FHU 2, UC 0
Bottom 2
Cumberland plated a run with an RBI single.
FHU 2, UC 1
Bottom 3
A leadoff homer knotted the game.
FHU 2, UC 2
Top 4
Drake Blackwood sent the first pitch he saw in the inning over the wall in right. A sacrifice bunt drove in a second run before
Hunter Ryan singled home to more runs. Jones capped the five-run frame with a sacrifice fly to score Ryan.
FHU 7, UC 2
Bottom 4
Three singles helped the Phoenix score a run with an RBI groundout.
FHU 7, UC 3
Top 5
Alejandro Diaz launched a solo homer.
FHU 8, UC 3
Top 7
Blackwood had a one-out single before swiping second.
JJ Pruneau then singled him home for the ninth run of the game.
FHU 9, UC 3
Top 8
The Lions had another five-run inning that was opened by singles from Anderson,
Brennen Gibson, and
Dean Bechman loading the bases. Blackwood's double plated two runs before Diaz would smach a bases-clearing double to give FHU an 11-run lead.
FHU 14, UC 3
Bottom 8
Needing two runs to avoid the run-rule, a solo home run was all the Phoenix could muster.
FHU 14, UC 4
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Up Next
The Lions will close the book on the 2026 regular season with the rubber match against the Phoneix on April 25 at 12:00 p.m.
