LYNCHBURG, Va. --- The University of Lynchburg's run towards a possible second national title in three seasons ended on Saturday afternoon with the Hornets coming up on the wrong end in the first two games of their double-elimination series with Rowan University in the super regional round of the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship.

Lynchburg (41-9) and Rowan (36-10) met on Friday at Bank of the James Stadium in the Hill City with the Profs posting a 7-4 victory. Rowan did not let up on Saturday, keeping the "if necessary" third game unplayed with a 6-2 triumph over Lynchburg.

The Hornets, winners of their third straight and 12th overall ODAC title earlier this month, had their sights set on a second NCAA trophy to pair with the walnut & bronze prize they took home in 2023. Lynchburg's 41 wins mark the second-most in program history trailing only the 48 victories from that 2023 squad.

In Friday's contest, Rowan moved the scoreboard first with three runs off ODAC Pitcher of the Year Tyler Kaltreider in the second inning. The Profs made it 3-0 with a tally in the sixth.

Lynchburg responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Second baseman Benton Jones doubled to right-center to score by centerfielder Joe Munitz and third baseman Maddox Tsutsui. Designated hitter Bryce Demory punched a single to right to bring round Jones.

The Hornets tied the game with a fourth run in the seventh. Munitz went the other way with a single to left to bring in first baseman Eric Hiett.

The remainder of the scoring went Rowan's way with one in the eighth and two insurance runs in the ninth. Jones led Lynchburg with two hits and his two RBI. Colin McGuire was saddled with the loss after surrendering the final three runs. Kaltreider gave up three runs on nine hits with one walk and one strikeout in five frames.

Mike Shannon got the win for Rowan, improving to 8-2. Steven Maiers registered his third save.

In game two, the Profs -- playing as the home team -- scored early and often with two runs in the first, one each in the third and fourth, and two more in the fifth for a 6-0 lead. Lynchburg starter Nick Mattfield gave up four runs on five hits in 3.2 innings, while Brock Duff allowed two runs on three hits in 2.1 innings of relief.

Logan Tapman gave the Lynchburg offense a chance to get back into the game. He worked the final two innings, allowing one hit as the only additional marks on his stat line.

Lynchburg got one back in the sixth with Munitz leaving the yard beyond the right field fence. Pokorak drove in the Hornets second and final run with a sacrifice fly to left to bring in Jones in the eighth inning.

Jones and Demory each went 3-for-4 to lead Lynchburg's offense in game two.

Zach Coluccio improved to 9-1 for RU. He allowed one run while scattering eight hits with five punchouts over six innings. Maiers worked the final three innings to earn his second save. He allowed one run on two hits with four strikeouts.