NASHVILLE, Tenn. – #2 Seed Cumberland University (45-17) avoided elimination by ending the season for Martin Methodist (14-37) 8-5 in game 4 of the TranSouth Athletic Conference Tournament.

The RedHawks of Martin Methodist got on the scoreboard first with a run in the top of the first inning. The Bulldogs of Cumberland answered with four runs in the second inning and added three more in the third to take a 7-1 lead. That would hold until the RedHawks would post a run in the top of the sixth inning. Both teams scored a run in the eighth and the RedHawks finished the scoring with two runs in the top of the ninth.

The defending tournament champion Bulldogs scored their eight runs on 14 hits and had two errors and the RedHawks scored their five runs on 11 hits with three errors.

Carlos Miranda improved to 8-3 on the year with the win on the mound for the Bulldogs. Miranda lasted 7.1 innings and allowed three runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out two. Randy Stewart took the loss for the RedHawks and ended the season at 3-7. 2004 World Series MVP Donnie Burkhalter provided the offense today for the Bulldogs. Burkhalter was 3-for-5 with three runs scored, two RBI, and a home run. Chuck McFarlane was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and a double for the Bulldogs. Robert Kimbrough paced the RedHawks attack with a 3-for-5 performance that included two runs scored, two RBI, a double, and a stolen base.

The Bulldogs, who won last year’s NAIA Championship advanced in the loser’s bracket, and will play the loser of the #5 Union/#4 Freed-Hardeman game. That game will start at 7 p.m. at Nashville’s Shelby Park.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – #2 Seed Cumberland University (45-17) avoided elimination by ending the season for Martin Methodist (14-37) 8-5 in game 4 of the TranSouth Athletic Conference Tournament.

The RedHawks of Martin Methodist got on the scoreboard first with a run in the top of the first inning. The Bulldogs of Cumberland answered with four runs in the second inning and added three more in the third to take a 7-1 lead. That would hold until the RedHawks would post a run in the top of the sixth inning. Both teams scored a run in the eighth and the RedHawks finished the scoring with two runs in the top of the ninth.

The defending tournament champion Bulldogs scored their eight runs on 14 hits and had two errors and the RedHawks scored their five runs on 11 hits with three errors.

Carlos Miranda improved to 8-3 on the year with the win on the mound for the Bulldogs. Miranda lasted 7.1 innings and allowed three runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out two. Randy Stewart took the loss for the RedHawks and ended the season at 3-7. 2004 World Series MVP Donnie Burkhalter provided the offense today for the Bulldogs. Burkhalter was 3-for-5 with three runs scored, two RBI, and a home run. Chuck McFarlane was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and a double for the Bulldogs. Robert Kimbrough paced the RedHawks attack with a 3-for-5 performance that included two runs scored, two RBI, a double, and a stolen base.

The Bulldogs, who won last year’s NAIA Championship advanced in the loser’s bracket, and will play the loser of the #5 Union/#4 Freed-Hardeman game. That game will start at 7 p.m. at Nashville’s Shelby Park.