The Selma University Bulldogs continue to make the most of their USCAA Small College World Series appearance, as they knocked out the No. 2 seed Apprentice School in a 2-1 win Tuesday morning.

Monday morning, they defeated the two-time defending champions College of St. Joseph’s Vermont, and followed up that performance by defeating last year’s runner-up.

“It was just a defensive, pitcher’s duel,” Selma U head baseball coach Adrian Holloway said. “We like those kinds of games. I’m just proud of my guys for being able to win a tight contest. It shows a lot of character, a lot of heart and a lot of fight.”

The Bulldogs stuck to its game plan of attacking opponents early to get ahead of the Apprentice School.

“It’s more comfortable to play with a lead,” Holloway said.

However, there weren’t any long balls by Marcus Hardy to depend on.

Instead, the Bulldogs pushed across its only two runs of the game on back-to-back hits in the top of the second inning.

Rickey Butts doubled to left-center to drive in the first run of the game, and Undray Lawerence Jr.’s single to left brought Butts home immediately after.

The Bulldogs had nine total hits in the game, but were unable to score any more runs against the Apprentice School. Butts went 2 for 4, while Brian Davidson Jr. and Jamez McGhee both went 2 for 3.

Even though the runs stopped coming in, the Bulldogs pitching staff had all it needed to complete the game.

Starting pitcher Trey Clarke allowed one-run on two hits in six innings of work. He walked seven batters, but the Bulldogs defense held him down in the field.

“We had another good pitching performance by another great pitcher today,” Holloway said. “Trey brings top-level mechanics and smarts to the mound. His great mechanics allow him to stay around the zone and have good control of his balls. He came in, did his job and allowed us to fight another day.”

The defense prevented the tying run from scoring by throwing out a runner at the plate after a double to center field with two runners in scoring position threatened Selma U’s lead. The 8-6-2 put out preserved the narrow lead, and the Bulldogs held on for the remainder of the game.

“A lot of people don’t want to give us the credit, but we’re a very good defensive team,” Holloway said.

The win advanced Selma U to its Tuesday night matchup with No. 6 seed Penn State Dubois. The underdogs from Selma are still alive, and have a chance to make it through to the Final Four.