[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 80 (Monday, June 1, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO THE CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY TIGERS BASEBALL TEAM

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
accomplishments of the Campbellsville University Tigers' Baseball Team 
from my home State of Kentucky. Their recent 4-0 win over Kansas 
Wesleyan earned the Tigers their first trip to the NAIA Baseball World 
Series in Lewiston, ID.
  The Tigers' hard work and dedication throughout the season has paid 
off as they represent their school in the tournament. The players 
embody the principles of teamwork and their tireless efforts resulted 
in a successful season that has lead to this monumental and meaningful 
honor.
  Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the team 
and coaches from Campbellsville for their performance during the 
regular season and for making it to the World Series. I further ask 
unanimous consent that the full article be printed in the Record as 
well as the names of the players and coaches.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

             Campbellsville University Tigers Baseball Team

       Head Coach Beauford Sanders, Assistant Coach Scott 
     Hortness, Assistant Coach Randy LeBleu, Assistant Coach Jake 
     McKinley, Rob Elliott, Bryan Fuller, Spencer Frantz, Jimmy 
     Voelker, Craig Edwards, Nick Bertolucci, Logan Smith, Zach 
     Townsend, Chris Curley, Curtis Payne, Colin Bryan, Alex 
     Ponich, Tyler Derby, Nathan Quesenberry, Jake Kutsukos, 
     Chance Harker, Marc Wilson, Ian Pick, Eric Mattos, Eric 
     Staples, Nick Smith, Alex Tolmachoff, Jon Bourassa, Brian 
     Chase

                       [From ESPN, May 16, 2009]

                 Campbellsville Gains NAIA Series Berth

       Bryan Fuller told his Campbellsville University coaches he 
     was never going to play baseball professionally, so he was 
     willing to sacrifice his arm.
       With much debate and reluctance, but knowing what was at 
     stake and what their other options were, his coaches 
     acquiesced.
       Fuller, a senior, ended up pitching 21 shutout innings in 
     26 hours as Campbellsville (Ky.) advanced to the NAIA World 
     Series in Lewiston, Idaho, where on Friday it will face Lee 
     (Tenn.).
       Campbellsville had fallen into the loser's bracket in its 
     NAIA super regional, and needed to win three straight to get 
     the World Series berth. Against Lindenwood on Thursday, 
     Fuller, who throws sidearm, pitched three scoreless innings 
     for the save.
       With just 25 minutes between games, Campbellsville's 
     coaches decided to start Fuller in the next game, against 
     Kansas Wesleyan, which had won 26 straight. Fuller, according 
     to assistant coach Jake McKinley, ``is an undersized kid'' 
     who had started only once previously in four seasons.
       ``We were nearly out of pitching and he looked 
     comfortable,'' McKinley said. ``We told Fuller we would need 
     him to make his second career start and if he could give us 
     three or four innings, that would be great, and it was in the 
     biggest game in the history of our program against a team 
     that had won 26 straight games.''
       Fuller ended up pitching a complete game as Campbellsville 
     snapped Kansas Wesleyan's winning streak with a 11-0 victory.
       That put Campbellsville in the final. According to 
     McKinley, the coaches were prepared to start their No. 1 
     pitcher on two days' rest, but Fuller wanted the start.
       ``We told him no way, because we didn't want to hurt him . 
     . . He just threw 12 innings the day before,'' McKinley said. 
     ``He told us that he was a senior that will never play pro 
     ball and he was going to be an accountant in just a few 
     weeks. He said he didn't care about his arm and told us he 
     will give us a chance to win.''
       And he did, using just 77 pitches in his second consecutive 
     complete-game shutout as Campbellsville (39-10) beat Kansas 
     Wesleyan again 4-0, giving the Tigers their first NAIA World 
     Series appearance in school history.
       ``We're not sure yet, but we are not opposed to using him 
     in any role,'' McKinley said. ``At this point, we'd be fools 
     not to start him.''

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