Navy Baseball Gears Up for Patriot League Play with Momentum and Recognition
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Riding an 8-2 surge in their last 10 games and a four-game winning streak, the Navy Midshipmen (12-4) are set to open Patriot League play this Friday against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks (3-10) at J. David Walker Field in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This marks the renewal of a historic rivalry dating back to 1895.
Pitching Prowess Earns National Attention
Navy’s pitching staff is gaining national recognition, with senior Tyler Grenn and junior Brady Bendik named to the College Baseball Foundation’s 2026 National Pitcher of the Year Watch List. They are the only Patriot League pitchers to receive this honor. Bendik and Grenn join a group of 142 of the nation’s best hurlers from 26 different conferences. This recognition highlights the strength of Navy’s pitching rotation, which has a league-leading 3.61 ERA, ranking 36th nationally.
Rookie Standout Shines
Right-hander Jackson Clark has been named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week after a dominant week out of the bullpen. Clark recorded three scoreless appearances, tallying five strikeouts over 3.2 innings, and securing two wins while holding opponents to a .091 batting average. He joins teammates Owen Phypers and Patrick Walsh as Navy players to earn this accolade this season.
Experienced Players Lead the Way
Several Navy players boast impressive career statistics in Patriot League play. Brady Bendik has maintained a 3.39 ERA over 82.1 innings with 65 strikeouts in 15 career starts. Tyler Grenn has an 88-inning career with 39 strikeouts. Offensively, Evan Brown has a .305 batting average in 37 league games, while Andrew Manning holds a .314 average in 50 career league games.
Recent Successes Fuel Confidence
Navy’s recent performance has been marked by dramatic comebacks. Last week, the team secured a 4-1 record highlighted by three walk-off victories and a series win over Dartmouth. Saturday’s walk-off win was the largest Navy comeback since April 12, 2023, rallying from a six-run deficit.
Road Performance a Key Factor
The Midshipmen have shown strength on the road, posting a .276 team batting average and a 4.39 ERA in their five away games this season. Evan Brown leads the team with a .444 average in road games, while Victor Izquierdo has a .389 average with eight runs scored and five RBI.
Friday Games Favor the Mids
Navy has a 3-1 record on Fridays this season, hitting .279 as a team with a 3.00 ERA. John Loudon leads the team with a .667 average in three Friday games, scoring five times and driving in five runs.
Weekend Warriors
Navy is 9-4 with a .254 average and 3.54 ERA over 13 weekend games. Victor Izquierdo is batting .350 on Saturdays, while Patrick Walsh is hitting .455 on Sundays.
Scouting Lehigh
Lehigh enters the series with a 3-10 record and a four-game losing streak. Trystan Crawford leads the Mountain Hawks with a .302 batting average and eight RBI. Navy holds a 105-57 all-time record against Lehigh, with head coach Chuck Ristano posting a 7-3 record over the Mountain Hawks in his first two seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When and where is the series against Lehigh? The series begins Friday, March 13th, through Sunday, March 15th, at J. David Walker Field in Bethlehem, Pa.
- Where can I watch the games? Friday and Sunday’s games will be broadcast on ESPN+, while Saturday’s contest will stream on Mountain Hawks All-Access.
- Who are Navy’s representatives on the National Pitcher of the Year Watch List? Tyler Grenn and Brady Bendik.
- Who was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week? Jackson Clark.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Navy’s pitching depth, particularly Brady Bendik and Tyler Grenn, as their performance will be crucial in Patriot League competition.
Stay tuned for updates throughout the series and continue to follow Navy Baseball for more exciting action!
