By Jim Dixon
D3sports.com
EASTLAKE, Ohio - Endicott third baseman Robbie Wladkowski had the biggest home run of his career as he erased a one run deficit with one swing of the bat and the Gulls went on to defeat Kean 5-4 to advance in the 2025 D-III World Series being played in Eastlake, Ohio at Classic Auto Group Park.
Endicott trailed Kean for almost four innings by a run until Wladkowski put the ball over the left field fence. The home run was the 12th of the year and 28th of his career, setting a program record for home runs in a career. He passed Nicolas Notarangelo with whom he was tied before his home run today.
"That last one was the biggest one of my career so far," said Wladkowski. "I had a conference with my third base coach. He said take a deep breath and get back to your approach."
"I've been coaching baseball for 25 years and that was one of the most gratifying," said Endicott head coach Bryan Haley. "I am just really glad for the guys. It is the first time we have been to a final four. We are not satisfied; we want to get to the national Championship Series."
"I told the guys that this is a stinging type of game you are not going to forget," said Kean head coach Neil Ioviero. "You cannot lose perspective of what we accomplished this year. You cannot lose sight of what we did. It was an absolutely great run."
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| Evan Scully went six strong innings but left trailing 4-3 before Robbie Wladkowski's heroics. Photo by Ryan Coleman, d3photography.com | More photos from this game to come |
Kean got started scoring in the first with three runs. Kyle Adorno doubled down the right line. Tyler Stone singled to advance Adorn one base. Dan Reistle reached on a fielders choice with Adorno advancing to third and Adorno scoring on a throwing error by the Gull's second baseman. Brett Hilsheiner reached when he was plunked by Evan Scully, the Gulls' starting pitcher. On a Justin Teixeira sacrifice bunt. Stone scored and Reistle also came around and was called out. In the first of several umpire conferences in the opening innings, the call of out was overturned and Reistle's run counted. A groundout ended the inning.
Endicott answered with two of their own. Zach Stephenson started the rally with a double on the right field line. Danny MacDougall sacrificed down the first base line that the pitcher bobbled for an error. A Joey Fammartino sacrifice fly brought home Stephenson. A single and walk loaded the bases for John Mulready. Mulready sent a fly ball that took the centerfielder to the fence, missing a grand slam but earning an RBI with the second sacrifice fly of the inning. The second SF of the inning tied a World Series record last accomplished in 2004 that was done eight times before.
"I thought it had a chance," said Mulready on his deep drive. "I hit is pretty good, could have hit it harder. I was just trying to go up to the plate for a purpose. Keep turning over the lineup."
Kean would get a leadoff double off the bat of John Chiusano. A sacrifice bunt would move Chiusano to third and a deep fly would plate the Cougar's catcher.
Endicott would get a leadoff double in the second but would not be able to advance him home. In the third, it was a different story with a one-out double by Kyle Grabowski. Grabowski would find his way home when Mulready's drive to right center found the gap.
The game would remain at 4-3 in favor of Kean until the seventh when Wladowski provided the wining margin for Kean.
- D3baseball.com World Series Scoreboard
- D-III World Series Record Book
- D3baseball.com World Series Program
Evan Scully was not on the roster at the beginning of the World Series and was working to recover from a hard line drive that nicked him earlier in the NCAA Playoffs.
"He was trying to work his way back," said Haley. He was hit by a vicious line drive in the regional, Each Day he was progressing. Today he just wanted the ball."
"Scully is one of the biggest competitors we have," added Endicott catcher Mulready. "Always playing for the name on his front, the guys behind, the guys on the bench. He rose to the occasion."
Scully pitched 6.0 innings and gave up four runs (two earned) on six hits. He did not walk a batter and struckout five. Jake Harmony finished the final 3.0 innings. he allowed no runs on two hits with one strikeout. Harmony, in his second appearance of the World Series, earned his second win this weekend.
Kean's starter, Christian Pareja also did not earn a decision. He pitched 4.0 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks. He struckout one. Jason Basilicata took the loss. He pitched the final 4.0 innings, allowing two runs (all earned) on two hits and two walks. He struckout two batters.
- Regional Results: Friday | Saturday | Sunday
- Super Regional: Day one | Day two
- World Series: Day one | Day two | Day three | Day four
JT Abrusci led all hitters with three hits, His Kean teammate Reistle had two safeties. Teixeira led the Cougars with two RBIs. For Endicott, Grabowski, Mulready, and Wladkowski has two hits. Wladkowski and Mulready had two RBIs each.
Endicott will not face Messiah at 10 a.m. Monday morning to determine who will advance to the D3 Championship Series. The Gulls will need to win twice, while the Falcons just need a single win.
Kean's season ends at 41-11.