(LEBANON, Ill., May 5)--The McKendree University Bearcats carried their hot hitting into the championship round of the 2009 American Midwest Conference Baseball Tournament, scoring 35 runs in defeating William Woods University twice to claim the post-season title.

McKendree rolled to an 18-1 victory in Tuesday's first game before battling its way to a 17-10 win in game two. With the victory, the Bearcats have earned the league's automatic berth to the NAIA World Series Opening Round, which is set for May 12-15 at various sites across the country. Pairings will be announced on Friday.

After losing its opening-round contest to Hannibal-LaGrange College, McKendree scored 75 runs to post four wins in the elimination bracket. Kory Peppenhorst led the attack, blasting seven home runs with 22 RBI in the four games. He hit four round-trippers and drove in 12 runs on Championship Tuesday. Adam Davinroy added eight hits in the victories against William Woods.

Cale Johnson tossed a complete-game four-hitter in game one with a career-high 13 strikeouts, while Eric Gentz pitched the final 5 1/3 innings in the tournament-clinching win.

To view the entire 2009 AMC Baseball Tournament bracket, please click here. You can also view box scores from every tournament game with the results listed below.

2009 American Midwest Conference Baseball Tournament

First Round -- Friday, May 1
Play SUSPENDED with McKendree and Hannibal-LaGrange tied at 2-2 in the top of the fourth inning

First Round -- Saturday, May 2
GAME 1: #4 Hannibal-LaGrange College def. #1 McKendree University, 4-3 -- FINAL BOX

Second Round -- Monday, May 4
GAME 3: McKendree def. Missouri Baptist, 21-12 -- FINAL BOX
GAME 4: William Woods def. Hannibal-LaGrange, 11-2 -- FINAL BOX
GAME 5: McKendree def. Hannibal-LaGrange, 19-4 -- FINAL BOX

Championship Round -- Tuesday, May 5
GAME 6: McKendree def. William Woods, 18-1 -- FINAL BOX
GAME 7: McKendree def. William Woods, 17-10 -- FINAL BOX