DETROIT -- The fourth-seeded Wayne State University baseball team (27-20 overall) began postseason play on Thursday evening against third-seeded Ashland (31-18 overall) and the Warriors lost 1-0 on a walk-off squeeze play.  Senior Jared Tobey (St. Clair, Mich.) (6-4) did not allow a hit until the bottom of the seventh inning and struck out 11 batters but a hit-by-pitch and two walks in the bottom of the ninth inning led to the game-winning run.

The four-day event is being played at The Corner Ballpark.  The site served as the hallowed ground of Tiger Stadium at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull for decades before the Detroit Tigers moved to Comerica Park in 2000.  The new ballpark has artificial turf and is named the Willie Horton Field of Dreams, after the native Detroiter and former Tiger legend. The Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) developed the $20-million dollar youth sports facility and group headquarters.

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Wayne State put two runners on base in the top of the fourth inning when Jacob Finkbeiner (Saline, Mich.) drew a one-out walk and Justin Kelly (Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton Warrenville South) singled through the left side but the threat would end with a ground out to first.  

- Devin Rose (Farmington Hills, Mich. / Orchard Lake St. Mary's) started the sixth inning with an infield single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and then third on a groundout.  However, he would be stranded at third after a walk and strikeout ended the inning.

- The best chance WSU had to score all night was in the top of the eighth inning when Patrick Adams (Detroit, Mich. / De La Salle) singled to right to begin the frame and promptly stole second base.  The senior outfielder moved to third on a groundout but that would be as far as he would go.

- Two fielder's choices and a caught stealing negated any potential offense for the Green & Gold in the ninth inning.  Tobey plunked the first batter in the bottom of the ninth inning and walked the next two before a strikeout and then Taylor Horn (Leo, Ind.) was called on from the bullpen.  The suicide squeeze RBI would give the Eagles a 1-0 victory.

AT THE PLATE
- Adams, Kelly, Michael MacLean (Bloomfield Hills, Mich. / Country Day) and Rose all picked up base hits.

ON THE MOUND
- Tobey notched his fifth game with at least 10 strikeouts, punching out 11 on Thursday night.  He allowed just one hit, walked six and hit three batters.  Horn recorded an out on the final play of his outing.

FROM COACH KELLEY
"Tonight's game featured competitive pitching and defense from both sides, said head coach Ryan Kelley.  "Jared Tobey's effort was outstanding on the mound.  He picked up some impressive strikeouts when Ashland was threatening.  In a game where you only give up one hit with an infield single and lose is difficult.  Unfortunately, we couldn't come up with a timely hit with runners in scoring position.  Opportunities were there, but it didn't go our way.  Tomorrow brings another day of tournament action and we will embrace the opportunity."

NCAA REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS
- Currently, three GLIAC programs are ranked in the top six in the latest NCAA Regional Rankings with Grand Valley State sitting just outside the top 10.  The Warriors are sixth, while the Eagles are fifth and the regular season conference champions Northwood are third.  The regional selections will be announced at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday night.

UP NEXT
- Wayne State will play on Friday at 2:30 p.m. against Northwood.