Altoona Cumming Motors initially lost the game, but then won a protest over Cleveland’s use of the designated hitter. Ultimately, the successful protest led to a reversal as the Blair County franchise was awarded an 8-5 Day 3 win in Pool D.
Altoona manager Chris Sanders filed a protest regarding the misuse of the designated hitter in the lineup. Once the protest was upheld, under traditional circumstances, the game would have resumed Thursday at the point of the protest.
But the Cleveland franchise – aware that it would not advance out of pool play with a 1-2 record despite its Wednesday win – already was traveling back to Ohio when news of the ruling reached the team.
AAABA Tournament Chairman Jay Elliot said when Cleveland opted not to return, the board ruled that the 8-5 score with Altoona leading at the point of the protest was the official final.
On the field, Altoona led 8-3 entering the bottom of the sixth inning. Cleveland scored twice in the sixth and added six runs in the seventh in what initially was an 11-9 comeback win.
With the win Altoona-1 Cumming Motors went 2-1 in Pool D. Cleveland finished 0-3.
After Johnstown Mainline Pharmacy beat New Brunswick took 5-1 in Wednesday’s night game, three teams in Pool D finished 2-1. After tiebreakers were used, Johnstown earned the top seed in Pool D for allowing 13 runs, one fewer than New Brunswick and five fewer than Altoona-1. New Brunswick took the second seed.