The Adrian College Bulldogs saw their historic 2026 baseball campaign conclude with a 4‑2 loss to Endicott College in the NCAA Division III National Championship Series, a game that capped a season that will be remembered as one of the program’s most successful.
Endicott drew first blood in the opening inning, capitalizing on an RBI single that put the Gulls ahead early and set the tone for a tightly contested matchup.
The Gulls extended their lead in the fifth inning, delivering a two‑run single that stretched the margin to 3‑0 and forced the Bulldogs into a comeback position.
A seventh‑inning tally added another run for Endicott, widening the gap to 4‑0 and appearing to seal the championship.
A Late Surge Falls Just Short
Christian Oliver sparked a rally in the ninth inning, launching a two‑run home run that cut the deficit to 4‑2 and ignited hope among the Bulldog faithful.
Despite the late heroics, Adrian managed only five hits overall, with Oliver and Gabe Jones each contributing two of them, underscoring the narrow margin between victory and defeat.
On the mound, starter Anthony Petrillo surrendered just one run over 2.2 innings before a bullpen effort led by Carson Bruning, Cooper Tracy and closer Ben Bates kept the game within reach.
The Bulldogs closed the season with a 40‑14 overall record, having captured the MIAA regular‑season and tournament titles, as well as the NCAA Regional and Super Regional championships, marking the third College World Series appearance in program history.
Looking ahead, Adrian will return in 2027 with a roster that has already begun to build on the foundation of one of the most celebrated seasons in school history, aiming to translate this momentum into another deep postseason run.