A Playoff Matchup With History
No. 2 Bucknell will welcome No. 4 Holy Cross to Depew Field at Marren Park on Monday, May 18, to open the 2026 Patriot League Baseball Championship Series. The best‑of‑three contest determines the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Baseball Regionals, a prize that has eluded both programs in recent years.
Live coverage of each game will be streamed on ESPN+, allowing fans across the country to follow the action as the Bison look to capture their first title since 2023 and the Crusaders aim to extend their streak after sweeping top‑seeded Army West Point.
The two clubs have not met for a league championship since 2017, when Holy Cross emerged victorious. This year’s series marks the first time the Bison and Crusaders will contest the Patriot League title in over a decade, adding a layer of narrative intrigue to the matchup.
Standout Performances
Crusader right‑hander Jake Lenahan limited Army to two runs over 7.1 innings in Game 2, striking out ten batters and earning the win. Earlier, Nick Andersen drove in four runs while batting .429, and Gianni Royer contributed a home run and four RBIs.
Bucknell’s offense was anchored by Michael Trommer, who posted a .500 average with three runs, two doubles and an RBI during the semifinal sweep of Navy. Zach Selfon added a .333 average with three runs and four RBIs, while shortstop Ty Lagoni and outfielder Michael Chiaravallo each drove in three runs.
Reliever Jake Schultz also made an impact, allowing three runs over six innings in Game 1 to help the Bison secure a win. The collective performances underscore the depth of talent on both sides.
Beyond individual stats, the series reflects the Patriot League’s long‑standing commitment to balancing academic excellence with athletic competition, a tradition that has defined the conference for four decades.