Oxford 12′s Get First World Series Win!

Oxford 12’s Get First World Series Win

Batkis’s three RBI’s propel Oxford Past New Bern

By Matt Chudoba

(August 14, 2010) WILSON, N.C. – For a town consisting of roughly 11,500, the opportunity to get to a World Series of any kind is almost unheard of.  For a town like Oxford to win a World Series game, that is remarkable.

“There’s really know feelings to describe tonight’s win,” Oxford manager Greg Batkis reflected upon after his team defeated New Bern, N.C. 9-7 on Saturday night.  “It’s kind of numb.”

After losing 10-0 in their first game Thursday afternoon, Batkis understood that his team was better than the score indicated and figured the travel and humidity played apart.

“I just reminded [the team] that the All-Stars didn’t play like Oxford the first game,” Batkis said.  “Whether it was the weather or the fatigue from travel, it just wasn’t our baseball.

Faced with much cooler weather and a day of rest, Oxford got off to a rocky start in the top of the first inning Saturday.  Hindered by two errors, Oxford was starring at a 2-0 deficit before coming up to bat.

However, Oxford was determined not to have a repeat performance like Thursday’s.  Oxford wasted no time putting a run on the board after Adam Batkis led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run.  Down one strike in the count and looking overmatched on his first swing, Batkis adjusted and deposited the next pitch beyond the center field fence.  The blast provided an early spark for his teammates.

“It made me feel a lot better and more confident on the mound,” said winning pitcher Matt Morelli of Batkis’s blast.  It made us have the confidence that we were going to win the game.”

After a tying home run by starting second baseman Tim Stordy to lead off the second inning, Batkis inflicted more damage to the North Carolina state championships.  After a bunt-single by Owen Diaz and a walk to Sam Cherney, Batkis lined a two-run double into the left field gap that gave Oxford a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

“I was just trying to hit the ball and move the two runners over,” the younger Batkis said.  “My job is to put the ball in play.”

Oxford continued to flex its power in the bottom of the third.  Diaz came through with a bases-loaded single to make the score 5-2.  Cherney, batting in the nine hole, dealt a devastating blow to North Carolina, as he  connected on an opposite field grand slam to finish the scoring for the winners.

“Sam is a kind of player – he either takes good swings or bad swings, ”said Batkis of Cherney.  “Lucky for us, he had some good swings that at-bat and he just cracked it.”

North Carolina would not go quietly, as they came up with 5 runs in the top of the sixth inning.  After two walks to start the inning, North Carolina began chipping away with a series of three consecutive hits.  With the tying run at the plate and the number four batter at the plate, Oxford pitcher Dale Keller was able to punch him out.  Keller then got the next batter to tap out to the mound, sealing the first World Series win in Oxford history.

“We never give up,” said the manager.  “We’re full of heart and character.  They’re a pleasure to coach and it’s just awesome to be able to get this win for the entire state of Connecticut.”

Oxford looks to carry the momentum into their next game against Arkansas on Sunday morning (10:30 EST).

“I’m confident [about tomorrow],” Batkis said.  “We have a quick turnaround, but we will be ready to go.”