LEBANON, Tenn. - Union fell behind early but rallied to eventually take a 9-7 lead in the seventh. But Jiles belted a three-run shot in the top of the eighth to catapult Cumberland to the one-run victory.

The best-of-three series continues Thursday at 2 p.m. Central. The super regional is being held at Ernest L. Stockton Field in Lebanon, Tenn.

Union, ranked No. 14 in the NAIA, is now 45-16 on the year while Cumberland improved to 46-19.

Senior designated hitter Brett McAlpin (Winchester, Ky.) had his best game of the year in going 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Trey Wheeler (Hopkinsville, Ky.) was 2-of-3 with two runs scored and a RBI, while Joe Grinstead (Bowling Green, Ky.) went 2-for-4 with a runs scored and a RBI.

Union found itself in a deep hole early on as Cumberland reeled off five runs in the top of the second. The rally was capped off by a James Lilley two-run home run.

In the bottom of the frame, Union battled back, scoring three runs to cut the margin to 5-3. Union loaded the bases with no outs before Wheeler and David Fairbanks (Cincinnati, Ohio) provided back-to-back sac flies to make it a 5-2 contest. McAlpin followed with a two-out, run-scoring single to pull Union within two runs.

Grinstead provided a RBI double in the third and later scored on a sac fly, pulling Union even with Cumberland at 5-5.

However, Michael Wheeler delivered a two-run double in the fourth to put Cumberland back up 7-5.

McAlpin cut the deficit in half with a run-scoring double in the bottom of the fourth. In the sixth, McAplin singled in another run and Fairbanks scored on an error to put Union up 8-7.

Lioney Henriquez (Brooklyn, N.Y.) belted a solo shot in the seventh for a two-run Union advantage.

But Cumberland was not done. With runners on second and third and one out, Jiles launched a home run over the right-center field wall, giving Cumberland a 10-9 lead.

Aaron Tant took care of the rest for Cumberland as he got Union to go down in order in both the eighth and ninth, wrapping up the one-run Cumberland victory.

Jiles finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored, while Michael Wheeler went 3-for-5 with two RBIs.

Tant picked up the win, coming in relief of starter Lance McClain. Tant tossed the final seven innings, allowing four runs - two earned, on seven hits and one walk with two strikeouts.

Chaz Bargo (Artemus, Ky.) suffered the loss, dropping him to 1-5 on the season. He allowed one run one three hits and no walks with one strikeout.

Bulldog Notes:

* Union is now 27-2 when scoring nine or more runs in a game. Both loses have come in the postseason with the other being a 14-13 defeat to Tennessee Wesleyan College in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament championship game.

* Chaz Bargo set the program's career appearances record for a pitcher, appearing in his 65th game. He previously shared the mark with Greg Bruce, who appeared in 64 games during his career.

* Joe Grinstead stole his 45th base of the season, one shy of the program record of 46 held by Tim Galbraith.

* Joe Grinstead scored for the 73th time this season, tying Scott Benson for the single-season record. Benson set the mark during the 2002 campaign.