Widener Baseball Holds on to Win Game One of the MAC Semifinals

5/1/2026 9:48:00 PM

Story Courtesy of Widener Athletics

CHESTER, Pa. – Widener Baseball secured a 4-3 win over the Hood College Blazers to take a 1-0 series lead.
 
The Pride improved their overall record to 21-18.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
  • Starting pitcher Trae Sanders was dominant today, tossing 6.0 strong innings, striking out six batters while allowing just four hits and two earned runs to secure his sixth win of the season.
  • Ryan Bauerle started the playoffs strong with a 3-for-4 performance, lacing a double and coming around to score a run.
  • Kevin Bukowski was highly efficient in the middle of the lineup, going 1-for-2 with a triple and a sacrifice fly to drive in a crucial run.
  • Relief pitcher John Najdek was lights-out from the bullpen, providing 2.0 scoreless innings of work only allowing one hit and striking out one batter to hold the lead.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • After a quick first two innings where both pitchers were dialed in, the blazers struck first in the series hitting a two-run home run to right center in the top of the third. The Pride threatened in the bottom of the fourth after a two-out triple from Kevin Bukowski, but were unable to drive him in. After allowing two runs in the third, Trae Sanders settled in and shut down the Hood offense, keeping the Pride within striking distance.
 
  • The Pride bats woke up in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs to take a 3-2 lead. After Braedyn Clinton was hit by a pitch and a Ryan Bauerle single, Sean Burke drove in Clinton with a single through the right side. Keven Bukowski followed that up with a sacrifice fly to right field to tie it up at two. Brandon Yoder put the Pride ahead with a clutch double to right center which drove in one. Widener added another run in the bottom of the seventh to make it a 4-2 game. Braedyn Clinton started things off with a single and Ryan Bauerle drove him in with a double to center field. Hood would put up a fight in the bottom of the ninth, cutting the lead to one and loading the bases with two outs. Ethan Lytle was able to navigate out of the jam and secure Widener a 4-3 win in game one.
 
UP NEXT
The Pride will be looking to secure their spot in the MAC Championship tomorrow against the Blazers. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.