PADUCAH, Tenn. - 5/13/2010 - Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ (Tenn.) University forced a second game on championship day at the 2010 McDonald's TranSouth Baseball Tournament, but fell just short as Cumberland (Tenn.) University took the final game 9-5. In a battle of two NAIA top 20 teams, No. 18 Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ had defeated No. 2 Cumberland 6-1 earlier in the day to force the winner-take-all championship game.
The tournament worked its way down to the top two seeds as regular season champion and the tournament's No. 2 seed were playing for the title. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's only two losses of the tournament came to top-seed Cumberland, while Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ handed Cumberland just their ninth loss of the season.
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ goes to 41-15 on the season. This marks the fourth 40-win season for Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ in the last 13 years and first since 2002 (44). Cumberland moved to 50-9 on the season. Cumberland reached 50 wins for the ninth time in 13 years.
Despite the loss, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ earns an at-large bid to the NAIA National Championship Opening round. This will be the second straight appearance in the opening round for Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ. Cumberland receives the one automatic bid from the TranSouth.
In the game, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ trailed 7-0 in the game following a grand slam from Max Kautz. However, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ proved they were ready to compete until the end with a five run rally in the bottom of the sixth. Alex Turner had the big hit with a two-RBI single. Cumberland added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth on a two-run home run by Kris Miller.
Brad Davis (2-3) went 8.2 innings for Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ, allowing nine runs on 16 hits and five strike outs. Cody Dew recorded the final out for Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ.
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