Lebanon, Tenn. - The Bryan College Lions trailed by five runs after the first inning but refused to go quietly, staging an extraordinary comeback to defeat host Cumberland University (RV) 13-7 on Tuesday afternoon at Woody Hunt Stadium. The win improved Bryan's record to 4-7 on the young season.

Things started grimly for the Lions. Cumberland jumped out to a 4-0 lead before Bryan had even recorded an out, with a C. Royer three-run home run capping a five-hit first inning against starter Nicholas Hruby. The Phoenix added two more in the third to push their advantage to 6-1, and Bryan seemed destined for a lopsided defeat.

But the Lions began chipping away. Will Curcio was the offensive catalyst throughout, finishing the afternoon with two home runs, five RBIs, and a sacrifice fly — six total RBIs on the day. His two-run blast in the eighth inning was the back-breaker, extending a 8-7 lead to 10-7 and quieting any remaining Cumberland hope.

The turning point came in the seventh inning, when Bryan erupted for four runs to seize the lead for good. Curcio opened the frame with a solo home run, and Caleb Ramsey put an exclamation point on it with a two-run shot that gave the Lions their first lead of the game at 8-7. Denajh Williams and Ramsey each added home runs of their own — Williams connecting in the sixth and Ramsey going deep in the seventh — as Bryan's power display totaled four home runs on the day.

Bryan drew 14 walks as a team, repeatedly making Cumberland pitchers work deep into counts. The Lions' lineup worked through eight Phoenix pitchers, and the Cumberland staff issued free passes at a costly rate, ultimately allowing Bryan to score runs in five different innings.

Pitcher Chris Hall earned the win in relief, tossing a scoreless sixth inning. Ryan Ely closed things out with two clean innings to secure the victory.

The Lions will continue their season this weekend as they host Brewton Parker Christian University and University of St. Francis.