#2 Union Eliminates #5 Cumberland

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Second seeded Union University (39-12-1) eliminated fifth seeded Cumberland University (8-32-1) Thursday afternoon with a 10-2 win in day two of the TranSouth Conference Tournament.

Union wasted no time by loading the bases in the bottom of the first inning before third baseman Jessica Kee hit a grand slam to take a 4-0 lead after one inning. Union added one more run in the bottom of the third inning on a Chrissa Norton solo home run. Cumberland got on the board with a two run fourth inning including a Daniel Taylor RBI double to make it a 5-2 ball game. Union answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth. In the bottom of the fifth, Union first baseman Danielle Pope ended the game with a three run home run to enforce the 8-run rule and give Union the 10-2 victory.

Union's Mary Kosco (22-7) earned the win pitching shutout ball and giving up only three hits and striking out five in three innings of work. Chrissa Norton relieved Kosco in the fourth inning and gave up two runs (both earned) on three hits and struck out five. Cumberland's Sarah Sparks took the loss giving up 5 runs (all earned) while striking out five. Cecilia Kemp relieved Sparks in the fourth inning and also gave up five runs (all earned).

Union's Danielle Pope hit 1-for-2 with three RBI, two runs, a home run, and two walks while teammate Chrissa Norton batted 2-for-2 with a walk, one run scored, two RBI, and a home run. Cumberland's Danielle Taylor went 1-for-1 with a walk and an RBI double.

With the win, No. 2 Union University advances to the TranSouth Conference Semi-Finals to face No. 1 Trevecca Nazarene University Thursday at 10:00 a.m. The loss eliminates Cumberland from the TranSouth Conference Tournament and ends their season at 8-32-1.