MEMPHIS, TN - The Nashville Sounds evened the series with a 10-8 win over the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park. Memphis scored early, but Nashville answered immediately and held on after a late push. The two teams combined for 28 hits and 12 extra-base hits. From a Nashville perspective, the decisive start began in the top of the third after Akil Baddoo struck first. Baddoo opened the scoring with a solo home run in the second inning. Jett Williams followed with a two-run shot in the third after Ethan Murray had doubled. Back-to-back singles and a hit by pitch put runners on, and Baddoo delivered again with his second home run of the game—his fourth grand slam of the season—to make it 7-0 early. Akil Baddoo added to the ledger again in the fourth with bases loaded, drawing a walk for his sixth RBI. Ethan Murray later drove in another run with a RBI double in the fifth to push Nashville to 9-2. Memphis responded with home runs in the fifth and then continued to score in each of the next three trips to the plate. Joshua Baez drew a bases-loaded walk after a long at-bat to bring the tying run. Yohel Pozo hit home runs in back-to-back at-bats, and a leadoff double in the eighth scored on a groundout to cut the Sounds lead to 9-8. Nashville added two in the ninth. Luke Adams reached on catcher’s interference to start the inning, Jeferson Quero singled, and Greg Jones doubled in Adams. Mark Manfredi took over on the mound and stranded a runner with two straight fly outs. The series continues tonight with Game 3 at 7:05 p.m. at AutoZone Park.

Photo / JFA (Japan Football Association) NASHVILLE, TN — The Japanese Men’s National soccer team, known as Samurai Blue, has picked Nashville as its Base Camp City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, setting up at the Nashville SC Training Center in Antioch. Japan’s arrival was today, with the team expected to remain in Music City through July 17, eating, sleeping, and training in Nashville as they prepare for football’s biggest stage. To kick off the stay, the team held a community day and open training opportunity at Geodis Park, giving fans a rare chance to see the squad up close and experience the atmosphere around a team gearing up for tournament action. A large crowd of both Japanese Nationals, expats, and general soccer enthusiasts showed up to root and cheer the Samarai Blue in their World Cup efforts. So, are they good? Soccer America’s Mikek Woitalla says the answer is an emphatic “Absolutely.” He points to Japan’s attacking style, flair, and the way the program plays to win—drawing influence from Brazil-style soccer while building its own identity over decades. Japan’s leadership includes captain Wataru Endo, a defensive midfielder with a club career in the Premier League, while star forward Takefusa Kubo has been a breakout talent since his early Real Madrid days. Still, injuries can change everything: both Endo and Kubo have recently faced health concerns, adding an element of uncertainty as the team’s run approaches. And Nashville isn’t waiting for the World Cup to start feeling real—Friday night’s USA vs. Paraguay watch party keeps the excitement going at Geodis Park, with more World Cup energy expected throughout the weekend.

JACKSONVILLE, FL - The Nashville Sounds closed out their series with the Jacksonville Shrimp on Sunday, June 7, earning a 3–1 victory in the finale at Vystar Ballpark. Nashville broke through first in the top of the fourth inning when Luke Adams homered, giving the Sounds an early 1–0 lead. Jacksonville answered in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game 1–1 when Agustín Ramírez doubled and brought in Graham Pauley. The Sounds pulled ahead again in the top of the eighth inning. After a series of baserunners and aggressive plays, Nashville scored to make it 2–1. Jacksonville threatened but Nashville preserved the lead through the late innings. In the top of the ninth, Nashville put the game away. Eddys Leonard hit a home run, extending the Sounds’ advantage to 3–1. Nashville held firm in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win and complete the series with a one-run margin. The Sounds will return to Nashville this Tuesday to begin a week-long homestand against the Durham Bulls.

Travecca Nazarene University's Assistant Athletic Director of Communications, Gregory Ruff NASHVILLE, TN - Gregory Ruff, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications and Broadcasting at Trevecca Nazarene University, has been named a finalist for the inaugural FloCollege CSC Spotlight Award. The new honor, announced by FloSports Vice President and General Manager John Turner, recognizes sports communicators across FloCollege partner conferences who have made major contributions to storytelling, student-athlete promotion, and broadcast production. “Video production is worth infinitely more,” said Mark Elliott, Director of Athletics at Trevecca, praising Ruff and the team for leading digital content, broadcasting, and storytelling efforts. Elliott added that their work helps connect Trevecca Athletics with fans while ensuring student-athletes’ stories are shared every day. Ruff, however, credits the recognition to the people behind the cameras. He pointed to years of collaboration—beginning nearly two decades ago with early experimentation in streaming and a belief that college athletics was headed toward a digital-first future. With David Klimkowski, Ruff helped launch live audio and video streaming when Trevecca explored using excess bandwidth for broadcasts, setting the stage for future growth. Over time, Trevecca expanded its coverage across multiple sports and became an early adopter of postseason championship streaming in NCAA Division II. Today, the program features advanced production capabilities, including multiple cameras, wireless equipment, graphics, and replay—supported by staff, graduate assistants, and student workers who produce hundreds of events and content pieces annually. Each finalist will receive $500, and one grand prize winner will be awarded $5,000 during the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Convention in Las Vegas.

Photo / Cumberland University's VP of Athletics and Facilities, Ron Pavan Ron Pavan used to measure time in seasons—preseason plans, game-day nerves, and the quiet work that made athletes better long after the final whistle. Now, in Lebanon, Tennessee, that measure has become something else: a legacy. This September, Pavan—Cumberland University’s Vice President of Athletics and Vice President for Facilities and Service—will be inducted into the Chartiers-Houston School District Hall of Honor. It’s not just a nod to a title, but to more than four decades of building programs, mentoring student-athletes, and shaping the places where those dreams take root. On Friday, September 11, during a ceremony before the high school football game in Houston, Pennsylvania, he’ll join nine other inductees, including the 1982 Chartiers-Houston Wrestling Team. Then, the celebration continues with a Hall of Honor dinner on Saturday, September 12, at the DoubleTree on Racetrack Road. At Cumberland, Pavan’s fingerprints are everywhere. Since arriving in 2008, he oversaw the addition of 15 sports, strengthened student-athlete support, and helped modernize facilities that now look toward the future—weight rooms, training spaces, upgraded fields and courts, and new technology for fans and athletes alike. Under his leadership, Cumberland Athletics captured conference championships, earned academic success above a 3.0 GPA, and collected national honors that sounded like impossible promises kept. Before Cumberland, he expanded Ohio Valley University and helped guide its path from the NAIA to NCAA Division II. Earlier still, he served in coaching and administrative roles at Northeastern Christian Junior College. In Las Vegas this week, NACDA will honor him as well. And this coming fall, he’ll be honored where it began—his own school’s Hall of Honor.

JACKSONVILLE, FL - Nashville flipped the script in Jacksonville on Thursday night, delivering an 8-3 win to earn their first victory of the series and snap an 11-game losing streak to the Jumbo Shrimp. The big spark came from Brett Wichrowski, who picked up the win in his Triple-A debut—buoyed by a decisive six-run top of the third that turned momentum fast. After working around two Nashville errors in the first, Wichrowski kept Jacksonville off balance early. While the Sounds were limited to singles in the first two innings, the offense broke through in a hurry in the third. Ethan Murray led the charge with the first of three straight singles, and Cooper Pratt drove in the first RBI of the inning. Jett Williams followed with a two-RBI triple to push Nashville to a 3-run lead, then Akil Baddoo added another run to make it four. From there, the Sounds kept rolling—adding five more runs in the frame on eight total third-inning hits. Murray finished 2-for-2 with a RBI, two walks, and two runs, reaching base in all four plate appearances, while Tyler Black and Pratt delivered key extra-base damage late. Brian Navarreto managed to score twice for Jacksonville, but Wichrowski still made it through five innings to set himself up for the victory. Relievers Reiss Kneher and Jacob Waguespack closed strong, with Waguespack recording two perfect innings and extending his run to nine straight games without an earned run. Next up Friday night: Nashville looks to even the series with LHP Thomas Pannone starting against RHP Bradley Blalock.

Photo / Nashville Sounds By David Oglesby A sports dream that once seemed split between two worlds—football and baseball—has taken a new turn for former Nashville Sounds player Jordyn Adams. According to a CBS Sports report, Adams has enrolled at SMU and plans to join the Mustangs’ football program, returning to the sport that first made him a national recruit. For Nashville fans who saw Adams during his time with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, the move feels like a full-circle moment: the same athlete who arrived pursuing a professional baseball path is now stepping into college football with the intent to compete on the field again. From 5-star football recruit to pro baseball veteran Adams wasn’t just a standout athlete—he was viewed as one of the sport’s future stars. In the 2018 recruiting class, 247Sports ranked him as the No. 3 wide receiver and No. 14 overall prospect nationally, with only elite prospects like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Ja’Marr Chase rated ahead of him at the position. He ultimately signed with North Carolina, intending to play both football and baseball. But that plan changed when the Los Angeles Angels selected him with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft on a signing deal worth more than $3 million. From there, the football-to-baseball pivot became real life—Adams spent the next stretch of years climbing through the Angels’ system, making his major league debut in 2023 and appearing in 17 games that season, then returning for 11 more games in 2024. In total, his MLB experience came in 38 games, with 13 hits, one home run, and five RBIs—while his longer runway of at-bats came primarily in the minors. Most recently, Adams was in the Nashville Sounds organization, with his last Triple-A appearance listed as May 20. (cbssports.com) The other recent example: Monte Harrison’s football return Adams’ decision mirrors a story that already played out in college football last year. Monte Harrison, a former MLB outfielder, made a similar jump by enrolling at Arkansas as a wide receiver after nearly a decade in professional baseball. Reports at the time described him as moving from a long baseball career into football competition—following the same idea that he could still pursue what he loved growing up. That precedent matters because it shows how the NCAA pathway for older “non-traditional” athletes can still exist—at least in some circumstances—when a player’s college timeline is unusual. How Adams is still eligible to play college football (and why it’s complicated) Adams’ case is unusual because he never enrolled at North Carolina after turning pro. The CBS Sports report notes that NCAA eligibility rules are still being discussed and debated, including proposals tied to an age-based “five-for-five” concept that could reshape eligibility for future athletes. But for Adams personally, the current reality is that he is eligible to play college football. In other words: while the rules may be shifting in the background, Adams’ football return is happening now. What it means for SMU—and for Nashville SMU is getting a rare kind of athlete: a former elite high school receiver, a proven pro-caliber competitor, and a player who has already lived through the pressures of both development leagues and the MLB spotlight. For Nashville area sports fans, Adams’ move is more than a roster update—it’s a sign that the route athletes talented enough to play on an elite level in one sport can for some translate into another. If you'd like to catch Adams live in action this upcoming season, the closest SMU will play to Music City is at Louisville's L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium on September 19.

JACKSONVILLE, FL - The Nashville Sounds’ late rally fell short Wednesday night as they dropped their second straight game to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, 3-2, at VyStar Ballpark. Tyson Hardin took his first Triple-A loss, and Nashville struggled after an early lead. Luke Adams provided the spark for the Sounds, crushing a leadoff homer to left field in the top of the third inning to give Nashville a 1-0 advantage. Adams finished 1-for-4, delivering his first homer in 59 days and the go-ahead solo shot that briefly swung momentum. Jacksonville responded in the bottom of the fourth, using patience and timely hits to score three runs and take a 3-1 lead. The Jumbo Shrimp then held firm until the seventh, when Nashville found a key opening. Akil Baddoo doubled to start the inning, and after a walk put runners in scoring position, Tyler Black lined an RBI single to score Baddoo and cut the deficit to 3-2. Craig Yoho closed the door in the eighth, striking out the side while extending his streak without an earned run to 13 consecutive games. Nashville threatened again in the ninth, but the Jumbo Shrimp ultimately shut the door in an eight-pitch frame to preserve the win. Adams’ blast highlighted a productive night at the plate, while Cooper Pratt continued an on-base streak that now sits at 23 straight games. The Sounds will look to reverse their fortune Thursday, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT.

Photo / Professional Referee Organization (PRO) Tennessee Tech alumna Brooke Mayo has been selected to serve as an assistant referee at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and that news feels like something straight out of Middle Tennessee—earned, steady, and hard-won. A former Golden Eagles soccer standout who played at Tech from 2007 to 2010, Mayo later earned Tennessee Tech Athletics’ Woman of the Year recognition in 2011, a reflection of the discipline and leadership she showed long before her name appeared alongside the sport’s biggest headlines. For Nashville-area fans, the story carries extra weight: it’s not just “someone from Tennessee”—it’s someone from our regional rhythm, built in classrooms and practices and long days that don’t always make the national spotlight. Mayo’s appointment represents her first men’s World Cup, but it is far from her first international assignment. She has previously served as an assistant referee at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, worked officiating duties at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, and took part in matches tied to the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. She was also recognized as U.S. Soccer’s 2025 Female Referee of the Year—a major honor that speaks to how highly her officiating is valued. And while the world stage may be new, Mayo’s perspective is familiar: at elite levels, you have to keep improving, stay ready, and represent yourself, your federation, and your roots with professionalism. Look for Brooke on the pitch as you enjoy the World Cup this Summer.

Photos / NASCAR / Sean Gardner / Getty Images LEBANON, TN - Sunday night at Nashville Superspeedway felt like whiplash disguised as a race. Pole sitter Denny Hamlin looked destined to turn the opening laps into a statement, surging ahead when the green flag waved in the Cracker Barrel 400. But the night quickly rewrote itself. After jumping the start, Hamlin was penalized and re-set to last in the 38-car field. In a sport where momentum can disappear in a single restart, it could have been the end of the story. Instead, it became the beginning of Hamlin’s climb. Across 300 laps, the No. 11 Toyota kept finding time, closing gaps, and inching into position every time the race offered an opening. The concrete oval demanded patience, and Hamlin’s ability to work through traffic without sacrificing his car’s feel proved just as important as outright speed. By the time the race reached its late stages, his situation—first on pit road, last on the scoring pylon earlier, and then back inside the thick of the front battle—had turned into a competitive advantage of experience. The final minutes delivered the kind of chaos fans circle on their calendars. After a back-and-forth on a late restart, the finish came down to a restart with four laps remaining, setting up a high-pressure, three-wide run for the win. With Christopher Bell and Chase Briscoe joining Hamlin in the scramble, the last restart looked less like a conclusion and more like the opening turn of a playoff round. Hamlin controlled what he could: the inside line at the critical moment, the ability to stay calm while the cars around him hunted for advantage, and the discipline to clear the slightest space needed to keep momentum. When the checkered flag finally appeared, Hamlin’s rebound was complete—his Toyota winning by a narrow .115 seconds. That margin may be measured in fractions, but it carried enormous meaning. The victory marked Toyota’s first Nashville win at the 1.33-mile track, and it was the kind of comeback that only works when a team stays ready for the next turn of the night. Bell, meanwhile, had another late-race performance that nearly ended in celebration. He battled through early trouble that pushed his No. 20 Toyota well behind during Stage 1, before climbing back toward the front. With the finish so close, the runner-up result both stings and confirms something: the speed is there, and the team is nearly knocking on the door. The night included everything Nashville is known for—weather that delayed nearly two hours, a race-record 31 lead changes spanning 15 drivers, and 11 cautions that forced constant strategy recalculations. One more emotional moment landed early, when a sold-out crowd paused in silent salute on lap eight for the late Kyle Busch, a beloved champion who passed away last week. When the dust settled, Hamlin stood on top again—starting from last and ending first—proof that at Nashville, adversity doesn’t always end the race. Sometimes it teaches you how to win it. NASCAR Cup Series Race Results: Cracker Barrel 400 Nashville Superspeedway — Sunday, May 31, 2026 (1) Denny Hamlin, Toyota (4) Christopher Bell, Toyota (31) Chase Briscoe, Toyota (15) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet (10) Shane Van Gisbergen, Chevrolet (2) Tyler Reddick, Toyota (29) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet (7) Ryan Blaney, Ford (11) Zane Smith, Ford (17) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet

Nashville Sounds (35-22) | Gwinnett Stripers (29-28) NASHVILLE, TN - The Nashville Sounds didn’t just finish strong Sunday afternoon at First Horizon Park—they closed the book on the series in style, riding a seven-inning surge to claim a 4-3 win over the Gwinnett Stripers and complete a week that ended with momentum in their favor. Nashville scored three unanswered runs in the bottom of the seventh, turning a one-run setback into the difference-maker while finishing the week five wins in six games against Gwinnett. The Stripers struck first in a hurry, plating two runs in the top of the second inning after three hits drove in the lead. Garrett Stallings kept the damage limited early, but the Sounds eventually answered when Luis Matos launched his second homer of the season—a solo shot to left—to make it 2-1 heading into the third. Stallings settled in after that, working efficiently through the middle innings. Relief took over with the game still in reach. Jared Koenig handled the top of the fifth with a steady reset, while Junior Fernández returned in the sixth and again prepared for the late innings. Gwinnett found another push in the seventh, as Fernández allowed two hits and a run, stretching the Stripers’ advantage to 3-1. That’s when the Sounds flipped the script. In the bottom of the seventh, Cooper Pratt began the rally with a leadoff single—his streak extended to 21 consecutive games reaching base—then stole second to put the potential tying run in motion. Luis Lara answered with a single into right, scoring Pratt to cut it to 3-2. Gwinnett then loaded the bases, but the Stripers couldn’t contain the follow-through. Ramón Rodríguez grounded into a double play, allowing Lara to score the tying run. On the next swing, Freddy Zamora ripped an RBI single into right-center, giving Nashville the lead for good at 4-3. From there, the bullpen sealed it. Craig Yoho worked a clean inning, extending his streak of not allowing an earned run to 12 consecutive games, before Blake Holub earned the save—working around a leadoff walk and closing with back-to-back groundouts and a fly out. With Monday off, the Sounds shift focus immediately, heading to Jacksonville for a six-game series (June 2–7) beginning Tuesday at 6:05 p.m. Sounds baseball rolls on, and the momentum is staying in Music City.

Photo / NASCAR / Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images EBANON, TN - Justin Allgaier withstood a late-race charge from 18-year-old rookie Brent Crews to win Saturday night’s Sports Illustrated Resorts 250 at Nashville Superspeedway, earning his series-best fourth victory of the season in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Allgaier, driving the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, took the checkered flag by 1.4 seconds over Crews after a closing stretch filled with door-to-door racing between veteran and newcomer. The 2024 series champion reached the front for good with 20 laps remaining, edging past Crews’ No. 19 Joe Gibbs Motorsports Toyota in hard, clean side-by-side battles and holding on to claim his third career win at Nashville and the 32nd triumph of his championship career. The outcome was built on precision and patience as the race tightened in the final 10-20 laps. Crews, who started 33rd, methodically worked his way through the field to lead twice for a total of 45 laps—the most he has ever paced in a single race—before settling for runner-up honors. After the finish, Crews said the emotions of nearly winning lingered, calling the contest “the most fun I’ve had without winning.” Allgaier celebrated in the trademark fashion of NASCAR’s winning icons, climbing out of the roof hatch of his Chevy and bowing to the Nashville crowd. His celebration came with extra meaning as he paid tribute to the late Kyle Busch, who died last Thursday after being ill with pneumonia and sepsis. “It’s been a rough couple of weeks,” Allgaier said, extending prayers to Busch’s family. “To win in Nashville… this place is electric.” William Sawalich finished third for Toyota, claiming his third consecutive top-five result. Sam Mayer placed fourth, continuing a Nashville streak of top 10s, while Brandon Jones rounded out the top five. Corey Day, Carson Kvapil, Kyle Larson, Taylor Gray and Sammy Smith completed the top 10. Jesse Love, the reigning series champion and NASCAR Cup titleholder, finished 16th after leading a race-high 87 laps. A pit stop miscue cost him a lap at one point, but he rallied before the checkered flag. YouTube personality Cleetus McFarland also made an impression in his second series start, finishing 36th after late-race miscues and penalties.

By David Oglesby Meatloaf Maggie poises in front of the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile NASHVILLE, TN - On a warm Saturday evening after a typical Nashville rainy day, the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile rolled up near First Horizons Bank Stadium like a moving slice of childhood nostalgia—bright, loud in the best way, and shaped exactly like what you’d expect it to be. Fans looked and some gathered around the unusual visitor, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. Parked outside the main entrance into the stadium for the Sounds Game where it was sure to attract attention. “We arrived in Nashville earlier this week, and we’ve been here last couple days,” said “Meatloaf” Maggie, one of the two-person crew and a driver of the Wienermobile. “This is actually our last stop in the city.” The Sounds Game visit was part of a broader national run for the vehicle and its drivers. The Wienermobile crew told reporters that the team had recently been in Indianapolis, where they participated in a fan-focused event tied to the Indianapolis 500. “So last week was the weenie 500,” explained Meatloaf, adding that it coincides with the Friday ‘carb day’ leading up to the race weekend. She said the event features appearances around the track and “we raced all six wienermobiles around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.” How the Drivers Get the Job We asked Maggie how do you get a job doing a role the company has coined as “Hotdoggers.” Maggie said the positions are awarded each year and filled through an application process. “Every year, Oscar Mayer hires 12 drivers hotdoggers as we’re called,” she said. “The applications will come out around November, December, January… that’s when I found it—my senior year of college.” Maggie, a UT graduate, said she joined because the role offered a rare mix of travel and public interaction. “It is a bit of an advertising position,” she said, noting that the job is also designed to build skills. “You can really build your skills as a young professional, and this is one of the coolest ways to do it… 24/7, you were just making people’s days.” Maggie described the transition from applicant to driver as competitive. “Me and “Tailgate” Trey… we were part of the lucky 12 that cut the mustard,” she said, referencing her crew partner. Origin and Purpose of the Wienermobile The Wienermobile itself traces back to the brand’s marketing roots. The vehicle was first created in 1936 as a novelty hot-dog-shaped advertisement designed to spread cheer—an approach the company says remains central to the modern tour. Today, the Wienermobile continues traveling with a small crew to promote the Oscar Mayer brand through public events, including photo opportunities and souvenir handouts. While the vehicle draws attention for its shape and features, the drivers emphasized that the mission is connection. “We’re just… making people’s days,” Maggie said as fans gathered nearby. What’s Next After Nashville As the game progressed inside the stadium, the crew confirmed their travel schedule. Maggie said the Wienermobile’s Nashville stop was near the end of their time in the city. “We’re going to Arkansas,” she said. “That will be our last stop as hotdoggers because we’re at that turning point in the year… We become expired meat on June 8th and a new class is ushered in.” With rain threatening kickoff earlier in the evening, the crew’s visit gave fans some sunshine before entering the game. It is symbolic of what we expect to see when attending America’s summertime pastime.

Photo / Sean Gardner / Getty Images LEBANON, TN - Layne Riggs turned a rain-delayed Friday night into a late-race statement, rallying from the sixth starting spot on the restart with 16 laps to go to steal the lead on the final laps and win the Allegiance 200 at Nashville Superspeedway. Riggs set the pace early, leading all 90 opening laps and capturing victories in both Stage 1 and Stage 2. But after varying pit strategies reshuffled the field, the North Carolina native restarted the final stage from the fifth row and had to work his way forward in a long, grinding stretch that kept the outcome in doubt. The breakthrough came when Riggs received a crucial push from Front Row Motorsports teammate Chandler Smith. With the track’s iconic Gibson Les Paul trophy on the line, Riggs launched a dramatic final-lap pass, taking the lead over Rajah Caruth coming off Turn 4 with time running out. When the checkered flag fell, Riggs claimed victory by 0.468 seconds, driving the No. 34 Ford to his second consecutive—and third—win of the season. Caruth, piloting the No. 7 Chevrolet originally intended for late NASCAR champion Kyle Busch, finished second in an emotional effort. Riggs dedicated the win to Busch, while Caruth echoed the heartbreak and pride of nearly closing it out. Ross Chastain finished fourth, followed by Tyler Ankrum. With the victory, Riggs moved into the championship lead, edging ahead by 37 points.

LEBANON, TN - Cumberland Athletics capped the 2025-26 Mid-South Conference President’s Cup season with a third-place finish, earning 120 total points after the completion of the spring championship slate, conference officials announced Friday. The Phoenix ended the year behind Cumberlands (Ky.) and Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) in the year-long all-sports standings. Cumberlands claimed the top spot with 140 points, while Lindsey Wilson followed at 132.5. Cumberland finished ahead of Campbellsville in fourth at 111.5, with Bethel and Georgetown tied for fifth at 97 and Freed-Hardeman placing seventh at 89.5. Cumberland’s success was built on balanced production across both genders. The Phoenix compiled 59.5 points on the men’s side and 60.5 points on the women’s side, placing third in both the Men’s and Women’s All-Sports standings to conclude a full-season push across Phoenix athletics. Across the spring, Cumberland competed in archery, baseball, esports, golf, softball, tennis, and outdoor track & field, but its strongest runs came from a series of key championship outcomes. Cumberland captured a Mid-South Conference esports title, tied for the league lead in the final standings and earning 9.5 points. Women’s golf added a runner-up finish for nine points, while baseball collected eight points with a third-place regular-season showing. Contributions also arrived from men’s golf (eight points), women’s tennis (eight points), men’s tennis (seven points), and outdoor track & field, where the men totaled seven points and the women six. Cumberlands secured the President’s Cup by totaling a perfect 140 points, winning both men’s and women’s all-sports tallies for the Patriots’ fifth consecutive cup and 13th all-time. Cumberland’s overall third-place result marked a standout, all-around finish as points reward the top seven men’s and top seven women’s performances in conference-sponsored sports.

NASHVILLE, TN - In a quick, decisive follow-up to Thursday’s win, the Nashville Sounds kept their momentum going on Friday night, slipping past the Gwinnett Stripers 4-3 to claim their second straight victory at First Horizon Park. With the win, Nashville is positioned for at least a series split this week. The storyline started on the mound with Robert Gasser, who delivered five strong innings and held Gwinnett at bay after an early scare. The Stripers jumped ahead with a two-run first, but Gasser settled in fast, stringing together clean frames before the Sounds began their comeback. Offensively, Luis Lara was a key spark, turning in another multi-hit performance by going 2-for-4, including the lone multi-hit game for the Nashville lineup. And when the game needed a swing, Ramón Rodríguez provided it—cracking a two-run homer in the third inning to bring the Sounds level at 2-2. Nashville took its first lead in the sixth, using a mix of pressure and precision: Cooper Pratt drove in a tying run with a triple, while Jett Williams followed with an RBI single that put the Sounds ahead for good. From there, the bullpen closed the door. Brian Fitzpatrick worked the ninth and earned his first save of the season, striking out two. Postgame notes highlight momentum: Eddys Leonard snapped a hitless streak, and Fitzpatrick’s earned-run drought extended again.