In the top of the ninth trailing 3-0, the Bobcats rallied with back-to-back, one-out singles by left fielder Jerry Downs and first baseman Eric Santamaria then a hit-by-pitch for catcher Steven Fischer which loaded the bases.  Adam Duarte then came on as a pinch hitter and hit a two-run single scoring Downs and Santamaria to make it a one-run game.  Third baseman Brandon Canizares lined out to center field, then second baseman Michael Centeno put the ball in play resulting in an error by Faulkner's first baseman Cody Sos that scored David Quintero who had entered as a pinch runner for Fischer.
 

In the tenth, shortstop Cesar Ramirez hit a leadoff single. Downs then reached on a fielder's choice and pinch runner Quintero was safe at second on an error.  Fischer drew a walk to load the bases. Duarte then was hit-by-pitch to drive in the go-ahead run scored by Quintero. Canizares then blew the game open with a two-run single scoring Downs and pinch runner Andrew Denis to give the Bobcats the 6-3 lead.
 

Closer Chris Rodriguez earned his third win of the NAIA World Series, shutting out the Eagles over the final two innings. 
 

Faulkner scored a run on a sacrifice fly by shortstop Edgar Figueroa in the fourth, then went up 2-0 with a RBI single by second baseman Dario Polanco in the fifth.  In the sixth inning, the Eagles added an insurance run that proved to be the winning run on a bizarre play on a two-out double by center fielder Chris Madera who scored on the play on a two-base error.
 

STU's starting pitcher Alex Hernandez had an effective outing, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out two and walking one. Brandon Valentin relieved Hernandez in the sixth and retired the first two batters he faced before allowing the unearned run on Madera's double.  
 

Reliever Alex Viera came in to pitch the seventh and struck out the side.  Viera then shut out the Eagles in the eighth as well with some help defensively on a caught stealing by catcher Steven Fischer and a sensational diving catch in foul territory by second baseman Michael Centeno to end the inning.
 

With the score tied 3-3, Rodriguez fought off a potential Eagles' rally in the bottom to force extra innings.  The freshman closer then put away Faulkner in the tenth to earn the win and begin the celebration for the Bobcats.

Per the NAIA, the Bobcats advance earn a bye into the championship game because they are the only team remaining that has not had a bye at the World Series.
 

Friday's championship game will pit St. Thomas against the winner of Thursday's Faulkner vs. Lewis-Clark State game. The game is set for 9:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN3 and the Watch ESPN app.

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