Early runs enough for Clayton, Cumberland

Cumberland did all its scoring in the first inning Friday and Robert Clayton took care of the rest as CU won the battle of the Bulldogs 4-1 at Woody Hunt Stadium.
Clint Alexander's two-run single through the left side staked Clayton to the early lead. Jeremy Wilson added a sacrifice fly and Austin Morgan RBI single to right.
Clayton surrendered a run in the second inning but held the visitors to six hits and no walks while striking out three to bring his record to 7-1 and Cumberland's to 25-14-1 for the season and 11-4 in the TranSouth Conference.
Cumberland collected 11 hits off Greg Abram [5-4] as Union fell to 21-12, 7-9. Leadoff batter Courtney Propst had three hits while Alexander and Luis Martinez managed two apiece.
The teams will play a double header at noon today at Hunt Stadium.