Columbus St. wins first-ever Div. II title

Posted 7:36PM on Sunday 2nd June 2002 ( 23 years ago )

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA - Taylor Groce lived many a child's dream Sunday afternoon, hitting two home runs to lead Columbus State to a national championship. ``It's something you always dream about and think about the night before a big game,'' said Groce, who also had three RBIs as Columbus State defeated Chico State 5-3 to win the Division II championship tournament. ``It was an awesome thing and a lot of fun,'' said Groce, who originally signed to be a pitcher at Auburn, but ended up in the outfield for the Cougars after an injury. Columbus State (48-15) won its first baseball national championship by advancing through the loser's bracket to defeat Chico State (55-10), previously undefeated in the tournament. Jason Burdette (11-2) pitched a complete game to take the win for Columbus State, scattering eight hits. Burdette threw 144 pitches on a hot and muggy day at Montgomery's Paterson Field. Adam Montarbo (12-3) took the loss. Burdette said he stayed calm throughout the long game, but felt the tension in the ninth inning, when Chico State rallied for two runs and had the winning run at the plate when the game ended. ``I could barely catch my breath in the ninth inning,'' he said. The Cougars broke a 1-1 tie to take the lead for good in the fifth inning as Groce and designated hitter Jay Bayer hit back to back homers to lead off the winning. Groce added an RBI single in the sixth and hit his second homer in the ninth. It was Bayer's first game to start in the tournament. He hit his homer on the first pitch from Mendoza after Groce's blast. The two homers cleared the right field fence at almost the same spot. He said he was inspired by Groce's homer. ``I felt like I could really hit that guy,'' Bayer said. ``I got my chance and I tought I would give it my best.'' Columbus State Coach Greg Appleton said he had no qualms about starting Bayer after regular designated hitter Larry Pittmon was injured in a game Saturday night. ``I have a lot of confidence in Jay. He came off the bench and hit two grand slams this year,'' Appleton said. Columbus State broke out on top as shortstop Chris Gilstrap hit the first pitch of the game down the left field line for a double. Gilstrap scored two batters later from third on a ground out by third baseman Ladd Hammond. Chico State tied the game in the bottom of the second on an RBI single by Ryan Wulfert. The Wildcats rallied in the ninth inning loading the bases with no outs and scoring two runs before Burdette steadied and got the final two batters to fly out to end the game.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/6/194033