CU HOLDS OFF LEE 4-3

LEWISTON, ID -- Cumberland held off a determined Lee University team 4-3 late Thursday night (June 3) to capture the 54th annual Avista NAIA World Series title at Harris Field -- the second national championship for the Bulldogs.

CU starter Aaron Wilkerson (14-1) went the distance, throwing nearly 150 pitches. striking out seven with two walks. He scattered seven hits, including a three-run HR in the bottom of the ninth to Michael Brown for Lee's only runs of the game.

Seth Walker reached on a bad-hop single with one out before Taylor Comford grounded back to the mound. Wilkerson knocked it down, fired to Sam Kikla and the shortstop made the relay throw to end the contest.

"I just can't say enough about these guys," an exhausted Woody Hunt said after the game. "they have been so wonderful. Their desire to win is unbelievable. Wilkerson was really on early in the game. He got a little tired there at the end, but we held on and managed to beat a very good Lee team twice this week.

"I can't say enough about these players, the way they believe in each other. We were on a mission out here and we got it done."

Catcher Dave Fanshawe accounted for all four Cumberland runs with a two-run homer in the fourth and a key two-run single in the fifth.

Outfielder Kris Miller was named MVP of the World Series. He was joined on the all-tournament team by Fanshawe, Greg Appleton, Sam Kikla, Matt Greener, Troy Frazier and Wilkerson.

Redshirt senior pitcher Robert Post was named winner of the Champion of Character Award.

The Bulldogs (58-9) won 28 of their final 29 games of the year, including five straight to claim the World Series title for the first time since 2004.