Baseball | 5/16/2026 3:30:00 PM
WASHINGTON, Pa. (pacathletics.org) - The 2026 season for the Washington & Jefferson College baseball team wrapped up Saturday with a second loss in the double-elimination NCAA Regional, hosted by the Presidents at Ross Memorial Park.
W&J opened Regional play Friday with an 8-1 setback against the University of Chicago. That dropped the Presidents into an elimination game with 11th-ranked Bridgewater (Va.) College Saturday morning, which the Eagles won by an 11-0 score, closing W&J's season with a 32-13 final record.
The Presidents were making their 12th appearance in the NCAA Tournament after they won their 17th Presidents' Athletic Conference championship last weekend. The 0-2 showing ends the Presidents' remarkable streak of nine straight regional appearances with at least one win. The W&J senior class finished with a 126-55 overall record with three PAC titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances.
Game 1 - Chicago 8, W&J 1
W&J, playing as the visiting team, struck first with a run in the top of the first inning. Following two quick outs, senior Luke Alvarez (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch. A batter later, junior Andrew Miko (Portage, Pa./Portage) reached on an error to extend the inning. With two on and two out, junior Jack Anderson (Pittsburgh, Pa./Plum) delivered an RBI single back up the middle on an 0-2 pitch. The Anderson hit gave W&J an early 1-0 lead.
Chicago (28-13) responded quickly in the bottom half. The Maroons had five-straight batters reach base to open the frame. When the damage was done, Chicago scored five runs on five hits to take early control. The Maroons tacked on two more runs with a one-out double in the bottom of the second inning, which extended the lead to 7-1.
W&J put runners into scoring position in the third, fourth and sixth innings. However, the Presidents could not scratch runs across in any of those innings.
Chicago slugged a solo home run to stretch its lead to 8-1 after six innings. The Maroons scored eight runs or more for the 12th consecutive game and finished with 11 hits, which included five-straight extra base hits.
W&J junior Brendan Cruz (Carnegie, Pa./Chartiers Valley) was saddled with his first loss of the season, as his record fell to 10-1 in 2026.
Alvarez and Anderson led the offense by reaching base twice apiece.
Game 2 - Bridgewater 11, W&J 0
Just like Friday's game, the Presidents were forced to play behind from the opening inning. Bridgewater (34-14) put the pressure on with back-to-back two-strike hits to open the frame. A pair of productive RBI ground outs allowed the Eagles to push two runs across.
In the third inning, Bridgewater extended its lead to 4-0 on a two-run home run.
The Presidents had a chance to cut into the deficit. W&J loaded the bases in the top of the fourth inning with hits by Miko and junior Zac Stern (Coraopolis, Pa./Montour). However, the Eagles escaped unscathed by recording the third out.
Bridgewater opened things up with a three-run double with two outs in the fourth inning, as the clutch opposite-field knock made it 7-0 Eagles.
W&J had back-to-back singles in the top of the fifth inning. However, the Presidents were turned away again as a double play and strikeout ended the threat.
Bridgewater tacked on a run in the sixth inning and a pair of runs in the eighth inning as they stayed alive in the regional.
Senior Chase Perry (Ponte Vedra, Fla./Nease) started on the mound and took the loss. The senior struck out six and walked none in 3.2 innings.
Stern finished with a pair of hits, including a double, to pace the Presidents offensively in the loss.