EASTLAKE, OHIO - Seventh-seeded Adrian scored eight runs in the sixth inning to defeat second-seeded Rowan, 10-1, in in the first day of the NCAA Division III Baseball World Series at Classic Auto Group Park. Rowan (37-6) will now play third-seeded Salisbury on Saturday at 5 p.m.
The Profs held a 1-0 lead until the Bulldogs exploded in the top of the sixth. Gabe Jones' grand slam was the catalyst while Adrian used six hits and one Rowan error to take an 8-1 lead.
Rowan's run was scored in the third when
Mason Dorsey led off the inning with a single, was sacrificed to second on a bunt from
Evan McCoach, and advanced to third on
Damon Suriani's single. He scored on a sacrifice fly by
Brayden Davis for his 85th RBI of the year.
Adrian (38-12) tacked on a run in each of the seventh and eighth innings to provide the final margin.
Dorsey was 3-for-3 in the game with
Damon Suriani going 2-for-3 with a double.
Starter
Zach Coluccio (5-2) suffered the loss while
Ben Schild,
Charlie Russell,
Dane Samartino and
Mark Grubb all saw action out of the bullpen.
The loss ended Rowan's 14-game winning streak and was the Profs' first defeat since April 18.
Earlier in the day, #1 Denison was upset by East Texas Baptist, 5-1, and Baldwin-Wallace defeated Johns Hopkins, 11-4. In the late evening, Endicott defeated Salisbury, 4-1. Play continues tomorrow at Classic Auto Group Park with Denison vs. Johns Hopkins at 10 a.m. and a winner's bracket game between East Texas Baptist and Baldwin-Wallace at approximately 1:15 pm. The Profs' matchup with Salisbury will follow that game with Adrian vs. Endicott wrapping up the day.
