Game 2: Adrian 8, Bethany Lutheran 2
The Bulldogs exploded for six runs in the second inning and never looked back as Adrian forced a winner-take-all third game with an 8-2 victory.
After back-to-back hits from Jaxon McGuigan and Aiden Melvin opened the second inning, Jake Burns delivered an RBI single to put Adrian on the board. Nic Bruder added an RBI single before Rolando Jimenez drove in another run on a fielder's choice. Gabe Jones then ripped a two-run double down the left field line and Christian Oliver capped the inning with an RBI triple to right, giving Adrian a commanding 6-0 lead.
Adrian added another run in the sixth inning when Jimenez doubled home Casey Finn, while McGuigan plated a run with an RBI single in the ninth.
The Bulldogs finished with 12 hits in the win. Bruder led the way with three hits and an RBI while Jones finished 2-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI. McGuigan added two hits and an RBI, Melvin collected two hits, and Oliver drove in a run with a triple.
On the mound, Parker Faris was dominant for Adrian, tossing eight innings while allowing just two runs on five hits with three strikeouts to improve to 9-3 on the season. Edward Bieniasz closed out the ninth inning with a strikeout.
Bethany Lutheran threatened in the eighth inning with two runs, but Adrian limited the damage before adding insurance in the ninth.
Game 3: Adrian 3, Bethany Lutheran 2
In the winner-take-all finale, Adrian relied on timely defense and strong pitching to secure the Super Regional championship.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring in the third inning when Bruder reached and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Christian Oliver. Adrian extended the lead in the fourth after Casey Finn singled and eventually scored on an RBI single by Bruder.
Bethany Lutheran answered with a run in the fifth inning, but Adrian responded in the bottom of the sixth. Jake Burns reached after being hit by a pitch and moved to third following a sacrifice bunt by Finn and a flyout from Cam Oliver. Bruder then reached on an error that allowed Burns to score the eventual game-winning run.
Bruder starred offensively once again, finishing 3-for-5 with two RBI and a double. Finn scored twice while Christian Oliver added an RBI and Gabe Jones chipped in a hit and a walk.
Ambrose Horwath earned the win after allowing one run on two hits over five innings with four strikeouts. Sean Parker was outstanding in relief, throwing the final four innings with four strikeouts to earn the save.
Bethany Lutheran brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning after Seth Jones tripled and later scored on a groundout, but Parker closed the door with a strikeout to send Adrian to the national championship round.
The Bulldogs advance to the NCAA Division III World Series after winning the Super Regional round on their home field.
