Bethany Lutheran College Athletics

ADRIAN, Mich. - Bethany baseball's historic 2026 season came to an emotional end Saturday following a 3-2 loss at No. 16 Adrian in the NCAA Super Regionals. The Vikings claimed the first game 3-2 Friday in the best-of-three series, but the Bulldogs rallied to win the second 8-2 after a seven-hour rain delay Saturday and then closed it out 3-2 in the rubber match. Bethany ends its season with a program record 35 wins, including its first game won at the NCAA tournament in program history, coupled with its first ever NCAA regional championship and Super Regional appearance. 

Game three went scoreless for two frames before Adrian scratched a run across in the third following a single, walk, and sac fly. The home team went up 2-0 in the fourth after a single, hit-by-pitch, and an RBI single, chasing Bethany starter Caeden Willaert out of the game. Willaert (3-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and three strikeouts. Riston Wojcik came in relief and left two on base to get out of the inning. 

Bethany scored its first run in the fifth. Jayden Knutson singled, stole second, and scored on a base hit by Xander Meissner. Adrian scored a crucial insurance run in the sixth following a costly error on a misread pop up in the infield. 

The Vikings got the first two runners on base to start the seventh, but the Bulldogs were able to get the force at third on a sac bunt attempt and followed that with an inning-ending double play. 

After earning the save in Friday's game, Sean Gamble pitched the final 2.2 innings without giving up a run. He allowed just one hit with two strikeouts, giving the Vikings a chance in the ninth. 

Seth Jones hit a one-out pinch-hit triple that nearly cleared the wall down the right field line, giving the Vikings life. Xavier Palmer pinch ran for Jones and scored on a ground out by Josh Miller, making it a one-run game. But Adrian punched its ticket to the World Series with a game-ending strikeout. 

Bethany was held to a season-low three hits in the game and batted just 8-for-62 (.129) in the two losses Saturday.

Although the loss certainly stings, the Vikings set a new standard for the program and return a healthy amount of players to next year's squad. 


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