ADRIAN, Mich.-- Behind a complete-game gem from Parker Faris and timely late offense, the Adrian College baseball team defeated Kalamazoo College, 2-1, on Thursday afternoon in the second round of the MIAA Tournament at Nicolay Field. With the win, Adrian improved to 30-10 on the season and continued its run through the conference tournament bracket.
Faris was dominant from start to finish, tossing all nine innings while allowing just one run on six hits with four strikeouts and no walks. The right-hander needed only 115 pitches in the complete-game effort to improve to 8-1 on the year.
The Bulldogs struck first in the opening inning. Nic Bruder worked a two-out walk, stole second, and later scored on an RBI single to right-center from Christian Oliver to give Adrian an early 1-0 lead.
Kalamazoo answered in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly that tied the contest at 1-1, but Faris settled in from there, allowing just two hits over the final five innings.
Adrian finally regained the lead in the eighth inning. Jaxon McGuigan was hit by a pitch to begin the frame before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by Casey Finn. After a two-out single from Rolando Jimenez moved McGuigan to third, Jack Boike delivered the go-ahead RBI single to right field to put the Bulldogs ahead 2-1.
Jimenez led Adrian offensively with a 3-for-4 performance, while Brendan Willadsen added two hits, including a double. Gabe Jones also recorded a double and reached base three times via two walks.
Kalamazoo threatened in the eighth after a double put the potential tying run in scoring position, but Adrian cut down at the plate on a relay throw to preserve the lead. Faris then retired the Hornets in order in the ninth, sealing the victory with his fourth strikeout of the afternoon.
The Bulldogs move onto the MIAA Championship game Friday at 12:00 PM against the winner of Kalamazoo verse Alma game.
