Navy Baseball Prepares for Patriot League Series Against Lehigh

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy Midshipmen baseball team (12-4) enters the opening weekend of Patriot League play with a 4-1 run highlighted by three walk-off comeback victories and a series victory over Dartmouth, as they prepare to face Lehigh (3-10) in a three-game series this Friday through Sunday at J. David Walker Field in Bethlehem, Pa.

Renewing a Historic Rivalry

The series marks the renewal of a rivalry dating back 130 years to 1895. Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., Saturday’s contest for 1:00 p.m., and Sunday’s series finale for 12 noon. Friday and Sunday’s games will be broadcast on ESPN+, while Saturday will stream on Mountain Hawks All-Access.

Pitching Recognition

Senior Tyler Grenn and junior Brady Bendik have been named to the College Baseball Foundation’s 2026 National Pitcher of the Year Watch List. A total of 142 pitchers from 26 conferences are on the list. Bendik and Grenn are the only Patriot League pitchers recognized, marking the first time Navy has had two teammates on the list since 2015.

Rookie of the Week

Right-hander Jackson Clark was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week on Monday after three scoreless appearances, recording five strikeouts over 3.2 innings, earning two wins, and holding opponents to a .091 batting average.

Career Statistics in Patriot League Play

• Brady Bendik: 3.39 ERA over 82.1 innings in 15 starts, 65 strikeouts, 7-5 record, four complete games.
• Tyler Grenn: 4.81 ERA across 15 appearances, 88 innings, 39 strikeouts, 14 starts, three complete games.
• Evan Brown: .305 batting average in 37 career league games, 19 runs, 18 RBI, 13 walks.
• Jack Killelea: .291 average in 29 league contests, 15 runs, 9 RBI, 12 walks.
• Andrew Manning: .314 average in 50 career league games, 32 runs, 31 RBI, 7 home runs.

Recent Performances

Navy recently completed a 4-1 run, highlighted by three walk-off victories and a series win over Dartmouth. The team has a 3-2 record on the road, with Evan Brown leading with a .444 average and Victor Izquierdo at .389. The Mids are 3-1 on Fridays, and 9-4 overall in weekend games.

Statistical Leaders

• Navy’s pitching leads the Patriot League with a 3.61 ERA (36th nationally).
• The team is ninth nationally with 49 stolen bases.
• Patrick Walsh leads with four triples, tied for the Division I lead.
• Henry Mitchell has nine hit-by-pitches, ranking 12th nationally.

Navy vs. Lehigh History

Navy holds a 105-57 all-time record against Lehigh in a series dating back to 1895. Navy head coach Chuck Ristano has a 7-3 record against Lehigh.

Scouting Lehigh

Lehigh enters the weekend with a 3-10 record and a four-game losing streak. Trystan Crawford leads the team with a .302 batting average and 8 RBI. Cole Leaman has a 5.40 ERA in four starts. Lehigh finished last season 24-26 overall and 11-14 in league play.

Up Next

Navy will return home to host Maine on Wednesday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m.