Union Upsets Defending Champs in Tournament Opener

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - In the first game of the TranSouth Conference Tournament, fifth seeded Union University (28-26) upset second seeded Cumberland University (45-17) by a final score of 4-2.

Union took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the third inning. Cumberland answered with two runs in the top of the fourth, but Cumberland responded with a three run bottom of the fourth including a sacrifice squeeze off the bat of shortstop Scott Patterson to take the 4-2 lead. In the top of the fifth, Cumberland put two runners on with no outs, but Union hurler Adam Yates (3-5) got three outs on the next three pitches to silence the rally. Yates threw eight and a third innings giving up two runs (none earned) on six hits and striking out 10. Daniel Adams earned his fourth save of the year getting the final out of the game in relief. Cumberland's Steve Kline (11-4) took the loss giving up four runs (three earned) on four hits and six walks.

Union's James Brasfield went 1-for-3 on the day with a key RBI double in the bottom of the fourth inning. Cumberland second baseman Derek DePew batted 2-for-4 with a walk in the losing effort.

Union scored four runs on four hits and committed two errors while Cumberland managed two runs on six hits and committed one error.

#5 Union will advance to play Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at Shelby Park and face the winner of #3 Lyon vs. #4 Freed-Hardeman. #2 Cumberland falls to the losers bracket and will play Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. to face the loser of #1 Trevecca vs. #6 Martin Methodist.

Cumberland is the defending TranSouth Tournament Champion and also won the Region XI tournament, Super Regional, and NAIA World Series last season.