Baseball Falls to Holy Cross in Game One of Patriot League Championship Series

Monday, May 18

Lewisburg, Pa.

2 p.m.

Bucknell University

26-22

Holy Cross (PL Championship Game 1)

23-27

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Holy Cross	1	0	0	0	0	2	5	2	1	11	11	0
Bucknell	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2	4	1

Photo by: Brett Newcomb

Baseball Falls to Holy Cross in Game One of Patriot League Championship Series

5/18/2026 6:21:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell baseball team dropped Game 1 of the Patriot League Championship Series at Depew Field at Marren Park 11-2 against Holy Cross on Monday afternoon.

The Bison were stifled at the plate by the 2025 Patriot League Pitcher of the Year, Jaden Wywoda, who threw a complete game on the mound for the Crusaders.

It was a pitchers' duel for the first five innings as Wywoda and Jake Schultz kept both offenses in check. Schultz allowed just one run on a solo home run through five innings before a two-run shot in the sixth made it 3-0. The Crusaders broke open the game with three more in the seventh on the way to the 11-2 Game 1 win.

Holy Cross takes the advantage heading into Game 2, which becomes a must-win situation for the Bison in the best-of-three series.

Bucknell managed just four hits and were shut out through eight innings. The Bison spoiled Wywoda's shutout bid with two runs in the ninth. Wywoda ended his day with two runs allowed on four hits while striking out seven on 122 pitches.

Michael Trommer led Bucknell with two hits in the game, and Ty Lagoni and Deacon Bowne both singled. Lleyton Coupe drove in a run with a bases-loaded walk in the ninth, and Calabrese drove in another on a fielder's choice.

Holy Cross struck immediately as CJ Egrie, the two-time Patriot League Player of the Year, homered on the first pitch with a high drive over the foul pole.

Schultz settled in quickly with four scoreless innings in response. He stranded Egrie at third base in the third inning, and left two runners on in the fifth to get out of a jam.

Wywoda retired the first 10 batters of the game before consecutive hits by Trommer and Lagoni put the tying run at second. Wywoda forced a quick popout and groundball to get out of the inning.

Gianni Royer was hit by a pitch to lead off the sixth before a two-run home run by Braden Connors that went off the scoreboard in right-center field. The Crusaders led off the seventh with two hits to put runners at second and third. They added two more off Schultz with a sacrifice fly and a fielder's choice to make it 5-0 and force Bucknell to go to the bullpen.

Bryce Mitchell came on and appeared to have induced a double play ball, but an errant throw to second kept the inning alive with one out. Two more singles and a squeeze bunt extended the lead to 8-0.

The Crusaders stayed hot to close out the game with two more in the eighth and one in the ninth to put the game well out of reach.

Bucknell's ninth inning rally began with a single to center by Trommer. Lagoni and Garrett Mathias were both hit by pitches before Coupe walked to bring home a run.

Calabrese hit a hard ground ball up the middle, but Alex Sandell made a diving stop to record the first out at second base. Wywoda closed out his complete game with a pop up and a strikeout.

Bucknell and Holy Cross continue the Patriot League Championships on Tuesday at Depew Field at Marren Park for Game 2 with first pitch scheduled for 2:05 p.m.