Cumberland Little League to Face Pearland, Texas on Friday in Williamsport

Cumberland Little League to Face Pearland, Texas on Friday in Williamsport

The Cumberland American Little League team is living the dream of many a child as they compete in this years Little League World Series. Their first game is against Pearland East Little League from Pearland, Texas, on August 15, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

“It is pretty exciting,” said John Shivelin, President of the Cumberland Youth Baseball/Softball League. “It is something that doesn’t happen too often.”

The Road to Williamsport, PA Ran Through Bristol, CT

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The final game in the New England Regionals was a hard-fought victory for the Cumberland team, winning 10-6 over Fairfield American from Connecticut.

Cumberland was able to pull ahead in the fourth inning, scoring three runs over Fairfield on a RBI single hit by Addison Kopack.

In the final inning, it was Closer C.J. Davock who got the last five batters out for the save. His mother, Christine Davock, said that it was an impressive feat.

“I thought he did a great job,” she said. “I was a little nervous at the end when he got runners on base but I was very impressed with him. He was able to keep his composure.”

“I think that’s one of his strengths. Many times you can count on him in a situation where there’s pressure,” said Christine.

Starting Young

According to his mother, C.J. Davock has always had baseball in him.

“His older brother, Will, played Little League for many years,” she said. “C.J. always enjoyed going to his games.”

While her sons’ passion played a role, Davock also said that the teams coaches played a big part in getting the team to where they are now.

“He’s very fortunate to have such a great coaching staff around him,” she said. “They all [the team] work very hard."

Getting There

While the Little League World Series took care of bringing the Cumberland team and its staff to Williamsport; their family, friends, and supporters had to cover their own costs.

“Most of the parents are driving down tonight because we haven’t seen them since Sunday,” said Davock, while on her way to Williamsport. “It [the trip] is out of my pocket right now.”

Shivelin said that the Cumberland League is working to fundraise in order to defray some of those costs.

“The entire board is just trying to go ahead and assist them and help them out a little bit,” he said. “We’re selling some advertising blocks and just doing whatever we can to help them out…. A lot of these people have been away from work for a couple of weeks and it is hard for them to cover all the expenses.”

A Hard Match on Friday

Shivelin also said that teams from hotter climates, such as the Pearland team that Cumberland will be facing on Friday, have historically had an advantage due to climate. That is beginning to change.

“When you play teams from Texas, California, Nevada, etc… They certainly have a lot more opportunities to play than we do. There’s always that in there but the Northeast is starting to catch up.”

With indoor batting cages and baseball workshops, that advantage is starting to disappear.

“A lot of them get extra coaching during the winter-time. It’s starting more and more to become a year round sport,” said Shivelin.

Davock says that if her sons team “can win some games, that will be an added bonus.”

“I think that in terms of the team, I want them to have fun. Honestly, they are all 12 and 13 years old,” she said.

The Pearland vs. Cumberland game will take place on Friday at 7 p.m. EST and can be seen on ESPN 2.  For a complete schedule, see here.