BUTLER, Pa. – The Adrian College NCBA D3 baseball team earned the No. 1 seed for the NCBA D3 World Series over the weekend. Competing in a four-team double-elimination bracket, the Bulldogs finished as National Runner-Up in the program's inaugural season. Adrian earned victories over Lehigh University by scores of 15-2 and 13-0, but fell twice to No. 2 seeded John Carroll University, 8-0 and 8-3.
Adrian opened the tournament with a 15-2 win over Lehigh, highlighted by a seven-run second inning and a six-run fourth inning. The Bulldogs recorded six hits in the contest, but showed patience at the plate by drawing 15 walks. Tyler Clement earned the win after tossing four innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out five. Joshua Cornett added three innings in relief, surrendering one run on two hits with three strikeouts.
The Bulldogs then faced John Carroll University in the winner's bracket matchup, but struggled offensively in an 8-0 loss. Adrian managed four hits in the game, with Nate Christian collecting two of them. Nate Linder pitched five innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits.
Adrian bounced back in an elimination game rematch against Lehigh, securing a 13-0 victory in just three innings after exploding for 10 runs in the first inning. The Bulldogs totaled 13 hits, including multi-hit performances from Adam Lashaway, Sam Sipe, Gage Hreben, Christian, and Clement. Sipe threw a three-inning complete game, allowing just one hit while striking out five.
The Bulldogs met John Carroll once again in the National Championship game. After John Carroll scored four runs in the second inning, Adrian answered with three runs in the fifth. John Carroll responded with three runs later in the inning and added another in the sixth to secure the title. Lashaway finished with a hit and two RBIs, while Logan Passeggiato also recorded a hit. Clement pitched 4.1 innings, allowing four earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts.
The Bulldogs capped off an impressive inaugural campaign with an 18-9 overall record, a District IV East Conference Championship, a District Championship, and a National Runner-Up finish at the NCBA D3 World Series. Adrian will return to action in the fall of 2026 as the team begins preparation for another postseason run during the 2026-27 season.
