NEWS RELEASE


 

2004 Avista NAIA Baseball World Series
Press release

 Monday, May 31 – Game 11

# 5 Cumberland (Tenn.) (56-21) def. #1 Oklahoma City (71-6) 12-8

LEWISTON, Idaho – First baseman Donnie Burkhalter hit a two-run homerun and the No. 5 seed Cumberland Bulldogs upset the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Stars 12-8 in game 11 of the 48th annual Avista NAIA World Series on Monday afternoon at Harris Field

After Oklahoma City jumped out to a two-run lead in the bottom of the first thanks to a Ted Ledbetter two-run homer, Cumberland bounced right back to score six runs in the top of the second.  With the bases loaded and one out, leadoff hitter Mike Minkel hit a double to the left center gap that cleared the bases.  Two batters later, designated hitter Charlie McFarlane doubled to right center, bringing Minkel around from second.  The next batter, Donnie Burkhalter, took the first pitch from Oklahoma City pitcher Joey McLaughlin and hit a towering two-run homer over the wall in left center.

The 6-2 deficit was the largest for the Oklahoma City Stars this season.

In the bottom of the fourth, with Cumberland leading 7-2, the Stars began the comeback that most in attendance thought might come.  With two outs and a man on second, Cameron Clarke smacked a single through the middle that scored Scott Balster.  Next batter, Ted Ledbetter, doubled down the left field line, scoring Clarke from second.  The Stars’ third run of the inning came when catcher Tony Sanguinetti hit a double to center scoring Ledbetter.

The Stars scored two more in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 7-7.  Clark singled to center field driving in Balster from first and back-to-back doubles by Ledbetter and Sanguinetti drew the Stars even.

Seeming unfazed by giving up a five-run lead, the Bulldogs bounced right back in the top of the sixth to score three runs and go on to victory.  The Bulldogs led off the inning with back-to-back singles by Phillip Cuadrado and Charlie McFarlane.  Then with one out, catcher Chris Torres hit an RBI single through the left side, scoring Cuadrado from third.  McFarlane scored shortly after on a throwing error by the Stars’ right fielder.  Aaron Williams scored from third when Caleb Barrett grounded out to the first baseman.

The Bulldogs added two more runs in the top of the eighth inning to seal the deal and make the score 12-8.  With two outs and two on, second baseman Derek Depew doubled to left center scoring Craig Moreland and Caleb Barrett.

Reliever Josh Underhill pitched 7 1/3 innings to earn the victory and improve to 7-3 on the season.

Stars’ reliever Mike Mlotkowski (7-1) struck out five, but gave up two earned runs and recorded his first loss of the season.

Cumberland now advances on to play the winner of the Lewis-Clark State (52-8)/Point Loma (45-14) game at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Oklahoma City next faces No. 2 seed Embry Riddle in a loser-out game on Tuesday at noon.