Cumberland of Tennessee claimed its second NAIA National Baseball Championship with a 4-3 win over Lee of Tennessee Thursday night at Harris Field.
Right-hander Aaron Wilkerson pitched a complete game seven hitter and threw 142 pitches in claiming his second win of the series. The senior, struck out seven and walked just three in ending his season 14-1.
Offensively, the Bulldogs were led by catcher David Fanshawe, who hit his 13th homer of the year – a two-run shot in the fourth inning and added a two out two-run single in the 5th. He also threw out a runner and called all the pitches in the game.
Lee scored all three runs in the bottom of the 9th on a one out three-run homerun by right-fielder Michael Brown. The Flames had the tying run on first base, but Wilkerson induced a groundball back to the mound and started the game ending double-play to secure the win and the title.
Senior rightfielder, Kris Miller had two hits for the Bulldogs and claimed the World Series MVP Award – the second for a Cumberland player, joining 2004 MVP Donnie Burkhalter.
Third-baseman Matt Greener also had two hits and was named the NAIA Player of the Year.
Cumberland ends the season with the championship and a record of 58-9.
Lee finishes the season with a record of 52-13 and its 2nd second place finish in three years.
