LEWISBURG, Pa. – Senior CF CJ Egrie and senior RHP Jaden Wywoda led fourth-seeded Holy Cross (24-27, 13-13 PL) to an 11-2 victory over No. 2 Bucknell (26-23, 17-9 PL) in Game 1 of the 2026 Patriot League Baseball Championship Series at Depew Field at Marren Park.
Egrie, the two-time Patriot League Player of the Year, led off the game with a home run on his way to a 4-for-4 performance, finishing a triple shy of the cycle. He reached base in all six plate appearances, scoring three times with two RBIs and two stolen bases.
Wywoda earned his sixth win of the season, tossing his second nine-inning complete game of the season, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out seven, walking one and hitting three batters.
Senior LF Michael Trommer went 2-for-4 with a run scored, while junior SS Ty Lagoni went 1-for-3 with a run scored to lead the Bison offense.
Game 2 of the best-of-three 2026 Patriot League Baseball Championship Series is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, with live coverage on ESPN+ beginning at 2 p.m. Corey Nidoh will handle play-by-play duties, and Addison Sondberg will provide analysis.
The Patriot League Championship Series winner will receive the League’s automatic berth to the NCAA Baseball Regionals. For more information about the 2026 Patriot League Baseball Championship, visit
CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL.
No. 4 Holy Cross at No. 2 Bucknell (Depew Field at Marren Park/Lewisburg, Pa.)
| Date |
Game |
Results/Time |
Coverage |
| Mon., May 18 |
Championship Game 1 – Holy Cross at Bucknell |
HC, W, 11-2 |
Box Score |
| Tues., May 19 |
Championship Game 2– Holy Cross at Bucknell |
2:05 p.m. |
ESPN+ | Stats |
| Wed., May 20 |
Championship Game 3 – Holy Cross at Bucknell (if necessary) |
1:05 p.m. |
ESPN+ | Stats |
2026 Patriot League Baseball Championship – Championship Series Game 1
NO. 4 HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS (24-27, 13-13 PL) 11, AT NO. 2 BUCKNELL BISON (26-23, 17-9 PL) 2
Depew Field at Marren Park/Lewisburg, Pa. Mon. at 2 p.m. (ESPN+)
BOX SCORE
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Holy Cross senior CF CJ Egrie deposited the first pitch of the game over the fence in left field to set the tone in the fourth-seeded Crusaders’ 11-2 victory over No. 2 Bucknell in Game 1 of the Patriot League Championship Series.
*Egrie went 4-for-4, reaching base in all six plate appearances and finishing a triple shy of the cycle with three runs, two RBIs and two stolen bases to lead the Crusaders’ offense.
*Holy Cross junior 1B Braden Connors went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, two runs scored and three RBIs.
*Senior RHP Jaden Wywoda allowed two runs, both in the ninth inning, on four hits in his second nine-inning complete game of the season. He struck out seven, walked one and hit three batters to hold the Bison bats at bay.
*Bucknell senior LF Michael Trommer went 2-for-4 with a run scored to lead the Bison.
HOW IT HAPPENED
*Egrie’s lead-off solo home run was the lone run through the first five innings in what appeared to be a pitchers’ duel between Wywoda and Bucknell Jr. RHP Jake Schultz.
*After the solo home run, Schultz allowed just two hits and walked one through 5.0 innings.
*The Bison threatened in the fourth inning, as Trommer and Lagoni recorded back-to-back singles with one out. Wywoda retired the next two Bison batters to end the inning.
*An inning later, junior 3B Zach Selfon was hit by a pitch before sophomore C Deacon Bowne laced a two-out single to center field to put a runner in scoring position for the second straight inning. But Wywoda induced a fly out to right field to retire the side.
*Wywoda retired 10 straight Bucknell between the final out of the fifth inning and end of the eighth inning.
*In the top of the sixth inning, Holy Cross’ Connors hit a two-run home run off the scoreboard in right-center field to extend the lead to 3-0.
*Crusaders’ freshman SS Owen Stelzer led off the seventh inning with a double to spur a five-run inning, helping Holy Cross break the game open and take an 8-0 lead.
*Egrie scored on a throwing error and a double by junior DH Gianni Royer put two more runs on the scoreboard in the eighth inning before Egrie drove in a run on a single in the ninth inning to take an 11-0 lead.
*Trommer led off the bottom of the ninth with a single, his second of the game, and came around to score when sophomore 1B Lleyton Coupe drew a bases loaded walk.
*Lagoni, who was hit by a pitch, scored on a fielder’s choice by sophomore RF John Calabrese for Bucknell’s second and final run of the game.
*Schultz took the loss, allowing six runs on six hits through 6.1 innings. He struck out four and walked three.
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.