LEBANON, Tenn. (LourdesAthletics.com) -- The Lourdes University baseball team continued its early-season road slate over the weekend, battling against Cumberland University (Tenn.) in a three-game series at Woody Hunt Stadium in Lebanon, Tenn. The Gray Wolves put together strong pitching performances but were unable to generate enough offense, ultimately dropping all three contests to the Phoenix.

Game One – Cumberland 4, Lourdes 1

Cumberland broke a scoreless tie in the third inning, plating two runs to take the lead. The Phoenix added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, extending their advantage to 4-0.

Lourdes scratched across its lone run in the top of the fifth when Alex Dupree led off with a double and later scored. Despite putting runners on base via three walks and three hit batters, the Gray Wolves struggled to generate consistent offensive momentum.

Landen Vance took the loss on the mound, working four innings while allowing two earned runs on seven hits with one strikeout. Jacob Emerson pitched the final two frames, surrendering two runs on five hits.

Cumberland's starter, J. Goldstein, struck out eight over four shutout innings to earn the win, while M. Saldana picked up the save with three innings of relief, allowing one run.

Game Two – Cumberland 8, Lourdes 2

Cumberland quickly gained control, plating five runs in the first inning to set the tone. The Phoenix extended their lead with two more runs in the third and one in the fourth, putting Lourdes in an 8-1 hole.

Lourdes responded with a run in the third, when Joel Suraganan hit a sacrifice fly to bring home a run. The Gray Wolves added another run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Landen Brown, but that was all the offense Lourdes could generate.

Caleb Loboschefski (0-2) took the loss for Lourdes, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits in 2.1 innings of work. Despite the tough start, the Lourdes bullpen showed resilience. Ayden Hall, Noah Maniaci, Will Brose, and Jase Kennedy combined to hold Cumberland scoreless over the final five innings, surrendering just two hits.

At the plate, Lourdes was limited to just four hits, with A.J. Brinson leading with two, while Caleb Edwards-Dugan, and Nick Digennaro each recorded one hit apiece. 

Game Three – Cumberland 2, Lourdes 1

Lourdes struck first in the opening inning, with a leadoff single by Joel Suraganan, who later advanced to third and scored on a wild pitch to give the Gray Wolves a 1-0 lead. However, Cumberland quickly responded with a run in the bottom of the inning, tying the game at 1-1.

Both teams settled into a pitchers' duel from there, with Lourdes' starting pitcher, Austin Nuhfer (0-1), working 5.0 innings and allowing two runs on four hits while striking out three. The Gray Wolves' bullpen—led by Riley McKinnon, Zane Mullins, and Avery Harper—shut down Cumberland over the final four innings, allowing no further runs.

The Gray Wolves recorded seven hits, but couldn't string together enough baserunners to mount a serious threat. 

Series Overview

In the series, A.J. Brinson was consistent at the plate, recording 3 hits across the three games, including a 2-for-3 performance in the first game. Caleb Edwards-Dugan contributed offensively with 2 hits in the second game and an RBI in the first game. Joel Suraganan had a notable performance with a triple and multi-hit game in the second game, completing the series with a solid overall showing.

Up Next

Lourdes continues its road trip with a doubleheader at Brescia University on Tuesday, March 11, in Owensboro, Ky. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. CT, with game two following at 3 p.m. CT.