ELKHART, Ind. – The NCSA D1 team was in action over the weekend at the NCSA Indy Invitational. Adrian played five games in two days, going 2-3.
Game 1
The Bulldogs got the weekend started early Saturday morning against the University of Michigan.
After a scoreless first inning, both offenses exchanged runs. Michigan struck first with a four-run second inning. Adrian was able to string some hits together and cut the deficit to one run after three innings. The Wolverines' offense was overpowering and squandered Adrian's attempt at a comeback.
Despite getting five runs across on seven hits, Michigan gave Adrian their first loss of the tournament, 9-5.
Game 2
Adrian looked to bounce back against Michigan State.
The Bulldogs' offense got on the board first. An error by the Spartans allowed two Bulldogs to score. Michelle Huffman stole home two plays later to give Adrian a 3-0 lead. That lead held firm until the top of the fourth when Michigan State scored one run to make it 3-1. An explosive fourth inning by the Adrian offense took away any hope for the Spartans in the fourth. Nine hits, five doubles, and eight runs later, the Bulldogs led 11-1.
Elizabeth Grady was stellar in the circle for Adrian, going a complete game, giving up one run on five hits en route to the Bulldog victory.
Game 3
The Bulldogs' final game on Saturday was another offensive battle, this time against Illinois State.
Adrian was able to scrape across an early run, but after the third inning they trailed 8-1. Illinois State got two more runs across in the fourth inning, but Adrian answered back with three of their own. Two errors by the Bulldogs aided the Redbirds in pushing across six insurance runs. Adrian rallied for three runs in the last half of the fifth inning, but the damage had already been done.
Illinois State's offense propelled them to a 16-7 win over Adrian.
Game 4
Adrian took on Oakland University to kick off the final day of the tournament.
The offense came out of the gates swinging. Back-to-back five-run innings gave the Bulldogs a comfortable 10-0 lead after only two innings. A four-run fourth inning for Oakland cut the lead to seven runs in favor of Adrian. The Bulldogs recorded 13 runs on 20 hits in an early morning victory.
Courtney Robertson led the way offensively, with three RBIs.
Game 5
The Bulldogs had a rematch with the Wolverines in their second game on Sunday.
After the first three innings, it was all even at 1-1, looking like a pitcher's duel. However, in the bottom of the fourth, Michigan brought 12 batters to the plate. Two Adrian errors prolonged the inning, allowing eight runs to cross the plate. That was enough to secure Michigan the victory and end Adrian's weekend.
