COLUMBIA, Ky. – No. 6 seed Cumberland (Tenn.) used a five-run sixth inning to defeat No. 7 seed Bethel (Tenn.), 6-2, in the opening elimination game of the 2026 Mid-South Conference Softball Tournament on Wednesday at Marilyn D. Sparks Park at the Lindsey Wilson Sports Park.

Cumberland took an early 1-0 lead on an RBI double from Abby Chappell before breaking the game open in the sixth. Karley Daughrity added an RBI single, and Hailey Donato capped the inning with a three-run home run to make it 6-0.

Bethel scored twice in the seventh on RBI doubles from Kalani Hernandez and Chanley Price but couldn’t complete the comeback.
Avery Rauscher earned the complete-game win, allowing two runs on nine hits with seven strikeouts.

With the win, Cumberland advances to face No. 3 seed Campbellsville (Ky.) on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. CT in the double-elimination bracket.