Patriot League Baseball Championship: Bucknell vs. Navy
The 2026 Patriot League Baseball Championship semifinal unfolded at the Bucknell campus in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, where the second‑seeded Bison faced the third‑seeded Navy Midshipmen. The game swung back and forth before Bucknell pulled ahead in the seventh inning, ultimately securing a 6‑4 victory that sent them to the championship series.
Michael Trommer led the Bison’s offense, going 2‑for‑4 and delivering an RBI double that proved pivotal. His effort was complemented by Brady Hoar, who earned the win after pitching 5.2 innings and allowing just four runs. Closer Hadley Maxwell capped the night with his 11th save of the season, preserving the narrow lead.
Navy’s offense was anchored by Chris Klug, who went 1‑for‑4 with an RBI and scored two runs. Support came from Patrick Walsh and Andrew Manning, each adding RBI singles that kept the Midshipmen within striking distance throughout the contest.
The Bison will now host No. 4 Holy Cross in a best‑of‑three series that determines the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Baseball Regionals. Holy Cross entered the final after a 2‑0 sweep of Army West Point in the other semifinal, underscoring the league’s competitive balance.
Beyond the on‑field drama, the Patriot League continues to stress the development of student‑athletes who excel both academically and athletically. Bucknell, the United States Naval Academy, and the College of the Holy Cross all share a commitment to integrating rigorous scholarship with competitive sports.