ADRIAN, Mich. -- The Adrian College NCSA D1 softball team battled through a challenging tripleheader against University of Michigan on Saturday before heading out to Bowling Green Sunday, going 2-1 at Bowling Green. The Bulldogs fell 20-1 in game one against Michigan, 3-2 in extra innings, and 11-6, while Sunday Adrian defeated Bowling Green 12-11 in extra innings, falling in game two 11-3, before defeating the Falcons once more 9-6.
Game One: Michigan 20, Adrian 1 (5 innings)
Adrian opened the day against a potent Michigan lineup that struck early and often, plating three runs in the first inning before erupting for seven in the third and 10 more in the fifth to secure a 20-1 win. Gianna Evans led the Bulldogs with a double and a run scored, while Sara Kozel drove in Adrian's lone run with an RBI single in the first inning. Michigan totaled 23 hits in the contest, while Adrian was limited to two.
Game Two: Michigan 3, Adrian 2 (8 innings)
The Bulldogs bounced back with a strong effort in the middle game, pushing Michigan to extra innings before falling 3-2 in eight. Adrian struck first in the opening inning, as Michelle Huffman doubled and later scored on a groundout. After Michigan tied the game in the third, the Bulldogs regained a 2-1 lead in the sixth when Evans doubled and came around to score on a Huffman single. The Wolverines answered in the seventh to force extras and plated the go-ahead run in the eighth. Adrian threatened in the bottom half but was unable to bring home the tying run. Huffman led the offense with two hits, while Evans added a double and a run scored. Haley Holmes delivered a strong outing in the circle, allowing just three runs (none earned) over eight innings.
Game Three: Michigan 11, Adrian 6
In the finale, Adrian showed resilience after falling behind early, rallying for four runs in the fourth inning to cut into Michigan's lead. Gianna Evans paced the Bulldogs with two hits and two RBIs, while Greer Simpson added a pair of hits and two RBIs. Elizabeth Grady and Anna Ignatoski each drove in a run, and Anica Allstead scored twice. Despite the offensive push, Michigan's 20-hit attack proved too much, as the Wolverines pulled away late to secure the 11-6 victory.
Game One: Adrian 12, BGSU 11 (8 innings)
Adrian showcased resilience in the opener, outlasting BGSU in an offensive shootout that featured 32 combined hits. The Bulldogs trailed multiple times but delivered late when it mattered most. After falling behind 6-3 early, Adrian responded with a three-run fourth inning highlighted by RBI hits from Sara Kozel and Gianna Evans to even the score. The back-and-forth battle continued as both teams traded runs into the late innings. In the fifth, Adrian regained momentum with three runs, including RBI contributions from Kaitlyn Fry and Anica Allstead to tie the game at 9-9. BGSU answered to take an 11-9 lead heading into the seventh, but the Bulldogs again had a response, as Evans delivered a clutch RBI single to cut the deficit before Kozel added another hit to keep the rally alive. With the game tied 11-11 entering extra innings, Adrian capitalized in the eighth. After Elizabeth Grady was placed on second, Hayden Cutler moved the offense forward before Allstead brought home the go-ahead run. Greer Simpson followed with an RBI single to give Adrian a 12-11 advantage. Anjelica Bolivar closed the door in the bottom half to secure the win in the circle. Offensively, Adrian tallied 16 hits, led by Simpson (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Allstead (2-for-5, 3 runs scored), and Robertson (2-for-4, 2 RBI). Kozel and Evans each added multi-hit efforts as part of the balanced attack.
Game Two: BGSU 11, Adrian 3
The Bulldogs struck first in game two, plating one run in the opening inning and adding two more in the second behind RBI hits from Kozel and Evans to take a 3-1 lead. BGSU answered quickly, tying the game in the second before taking control in the fourth with a go-ahead run. The Falcons then broke the game open with a seven-run fifth inning, capitalizing on timely hitting to secure the run-rule victory. Adrian was limited to five hits in the contest, with Kozel (1-for-2, RBI), Evans (1-for-3, RBI), and Greer Simpson (1-for-2, RBI) accounting for the team's run production.
Game Three: BGSU 6, Adrian 9
The Bulldogs struck first in game three off a two run home run from Michelle Huffman to give the Bulldogs the 2-0 early advantage. Although, the Falcons gained the lead in the third scoring five runs. Adrian tied the game right back up in the top of the fourth inning, but Bowling Green regained the lead once again in the bottom of the fourth. The Bulldogs tied the game right back up in the fifth inning, and took the lead back in the sixth inning. Adrian extended their lead in the seventh inning to secure the win. Offensively, Adrian tallied nine hits in the contest, with Kaitlyn Fry leading with two hits (two doubles) and two RBI's, while Huffman recorded one home run and two RBI's. Grady, Hayden Cutler, Evans, Simpson, Holmes, and Kozel all got a hit.
This concludes the Bulldogs season as they finish the year off with an 11-21 overall record.
