NASHVILLE, Tenn. (JACKSON FIELD) – NAIA No. 8 Trevecca Nazarene University (45-15) came from behind to defeat NAIA No. 12 Cumberland University (48-18) in the TranSouth Tournament championship game 5-3.

Cumberland, playing as the home team, scored a run in the bottom of the second inning and held Trevecca scoreless until the top of the fourth. With one out Cumberland outfielder Charlie MacFarlane reached on a Trojan error in the bottom of the second. MacFarlane advanced to second with a stolen base and then to third on a wild throw. After Chris Torres struck out and Dorian Rojas walked, Vladimir Munoz doubled to score MacFarlane. Trevecca didn’t answer until the fourth when Kyle Jackson led off with a double. Cody Willoughby singled to drive in Jackson. Willoughby was thrown out trying to advance to second. Stipe Miocic reached on an error and scored on a Shawn Cozart triple. The Bulldogs tied the game in the bottom of the fourth when Lance Burkhalter reached on a walk and advanced to third on an error. Torres grounded out to short and Burkhalter scored.

Burkhalter reached for the Bulldogs in the sixth on a single and advanced to third on a MacFarlane double. Torres grounded out to second and scored Burkhalter to give the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead. Trevecca rallied with two runs in the eighth when Willoughby got on base with a one out single. Miocic singled to left-center, Willoughby advanced to third and Miocic advanced to second on a wild throw. Cozart singled down the left field line, Willoughby and  Miocic scored to give Trevecca a 4-2 lead. Trevecca added the final run in the top of the ninth when Bubba Norris was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Kris Ruderer came on as a pinch runner and advanced to second on a Ryan Hoganson bunt single. Ruderer was forced out at third on Justin Atencio bunt. Hoganson advanced to second and Atencio was safe at first. Brad Coon reached on a single and Hoganson advanced to third, but Atencio was forced at second. Cumberland’s Josh Underhill threw wild to first trying to pick off Coon and Hoganson scored to put the Trojans up 5-3.

Trevecca’s Hunter Norton came on to relieve Dean Mitchell in the eighth. After allowing a single to Rojas to start the inning, Norton got the next two batters out. Mike Minkel singled with two outs and advanced Rojas to second. Norton went to work and struck out Derek DePew to end the game.

Dean Mitchell (6-4) lasted seven innings and allowed three runs, just one earned. Mitchell allowed seven hits and two walks, while striking out three. Hunter Norton got the save after pitching the final two innings. The freshman from Greenbriar, Tenn. allowed two hits and struck out one. Miocic, Willoughby, an d Cozart all had two hits in four at bats for the Trojans. Cozart drove in three runs with triple to his credit. Miocic had at least two hits in all four tournament games for the Trojans, scored two more runs for the Trojans.

Trevecca’s 45 wins is a school record, one better than last years team that finished 44-17.

Trevecca will most likely be the top seed in next week’s NAIA Region XI Tournament. The tournament will be hosted by the Wilson County Sports Council will be held at Veterans Field at Baird Park in Lebanon, Tenn.