WASHINGTON, Pa. (BC Athletics) – The Bridgewater College baseball team battled tough in a tight setback with University of Chicago by a final score of 10-9 in the NCAA regional finals Sunday afternoon.
Records: BC (35-15), UCH (30-13)
How It Happened
• Bridgewater stayed diligent with small ball to kick off the action in the regional final. In the opening frame, the Eagles brought in Nick Stavros with a couple of groundouts and then repeated the same action in the second inning with a second RBI with a pair of groundouts to score in Ashton Smith. UCH answered with a five-run frame in the second to push Jaden Isidro out early.
• The Maroons added their offensive production in the third for a 6-2 lead. However, the Eagles struck back as Chandler Valbak blasted a two-run shot over the left field wall, cutting the deficit to 6-4. The Eagles attempted to find the equalizer with two runners on base, but the Maroons held down on the mound.
• The Eagles found their groove in the sixth as Valbak pounded his second home run of the day for a solo long ball. Trent Holland helped even the score at six apiece with a drilled single up the middle to bring home Ashton Smith. UCH quickly responded back with two runs to maintain the momentum at 8-6.
• Heading into the eighth, BC faced a three-run hole after an RBI single. The Eagles could not find the traction and saw the final three outs approaching in the ninth. BC did not go down easily with runners piling on at first and second base. The hot bat from Valbak answered the call with a game-tying two-run single to extend the game to the bottom half of the ninth.
Game Notes
• Chandler Valbak registered five RBIs with two home runs and went 3-for-5 at the plate.
• The Maroons had the edge in hits with 13 to Bridgewater’s nine.
• Andrew Baugher relieved Jaden Isidro in the second inning and went five full innings with one strikeout.
• On the Washington Regional All-Tournament Team, Zack Chadwell, Evan Bert, and Chandler Valbak all earned a spot.
The Eagles wrap up the 2025-26 season after making it to the NCAA regionals for the first time since 2014.
— BC Athletics —
