Oxford 12′s Fall to Arkansas

Oxford 12’s Fall to Hamburg, Ark. 12-1 at Cal Ripken World Series

Chudoba Provides Lone RBI For The Locals

By Matt Chudoba

(August 15, 2010) WILSON, N.C. – For the second game in a row, the Oxford twelve year old baseball team found themselves down a few runs before they came up to bat.  Unlike Saturday when the team was able come from behind and win, they just couldn’t get anything going on Sunday, losing 12-1 to Hamburg, Ark.

“We weren’t playing as a team today,” said Cole Chudoba, who came in as a pinch hitter and provided the lone RBI to avoid the shut out.  “We all tried to do too much instead of each of us doing our own little part.”

With the loss, Oxford falls to 1-2 in World Series play.  In order to advance to the next round, they need to defeat East Boise, Idaho on Monday.  That won’t be an easy task, as Idaho defeated the same Hamburg team 11-3 on Saturday night.

“If we pick it up as a team and play together, then [tomorrow] will be a good game,” Chudoba said.

After a two-run single and a grand slam by Arkansas, Oxford found itself down 6-0 before coming to bat.  It was clear from the beginning that Oxford was going to have a tough time getting anything going against Arkansas pitcher Darien Burns.

“He’s our number one pitcher,” said Hamburg manager Scott Stafford of Burns.  “He doesn’t get shaken up or nervous.  We have twelve good kids, but [Burns] is one of the best.”

Rushworth (six earned runs, three innings pitched) did not allow another run after the first inning and kept his teammates in the game.  However, Burns (three innings, zero runs) would not let Oxford get anything going, allowing only a one-out single to Adam Batkis.

“You’re always nervous when you start these games,” Stafford said, “but we were able to get a few runs early which allowed Darien to get into a groove and throw strikes.”

Oxford scored their only run of the game in the fourth inning after Chudoba laced a run-scoring double down the left field line.

“I was just trying to protect and make contact,” said Chudoba, the only 11 year old on the team.  “[The hit] was one of the best feelings in my life because I was able to deliver for my teammates in such an important game.  I hope it happens again.”

In order to keep the magical season going, Oxford will need to come up big on Monday against East Boise.

“Our heart and character will be tested tomorrow,” said Oxford manager Greg Batkis, “but we never give up.”