Rain, Records on the Line as Navy Hosts Bucknell in Patriot League Opener

CAPE SAINT CLAIRE, Md. (March 21, 2026) (Interstat) — A wet Patriot League opener is on tap Saturday as the Navy Midshipmen host the Bucknell Bison in the first game of a doubleheader at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. under a forecast of 56 degrees and rain.

The Midshipmen (14-6) enter with momentum, having won nine of their last 11 games, including a 9-8 walk-off victory over Maine on Wednesday. Navy’s bullpen has been a strength, and a player to watch is reliever Jackson Beattie. He earned the win against Maine with 2 1/3 scoreless innings and has not allowed an earned run in three of his last four appearances.

Bucknell (7-10) looks to build on its most complete performance of the season, an 8-0 shutout of Lafayette last Sunday. The Bison will rely on starter Brady Hoar, who was brilliant in that victory, tossing six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. Hoar has been dominant in three of his last four starts, including a six-inning, no-hit outing at Radford on Feb. 21, but was tagged for seven runs in just three innings at Saint Joseph’s on March 8.

The teams appear headed in opposite directions. Navy boasts a strong early-season record, while Bucknell has struggled for consistency, including lopsided non-conference losses to North Carolina (13-3) and Pittsburgh (18-3).

Interstat’s game simulator projects a high-scoring affair, predicting a 7-6 victory for Navy. The analytics service also gives the Midshipmen a 58.1% probability of winning the contest.

The game marks the start of a critical conference series for both squads. Following Sunday’s series finale, Navy will prepare for a midweek tilt with Saint Joseph’s before the annual Star Series against Army West Point begins next Friday. Bucknell continues a road swing with midweek games at Mount St. Mary’s and Penn State before hosting Lehigh next weekend.