CARY, N.C. – The 2026 Bentley baseball season carries on in unchartered territory as the Falcons prepare for the program's first ever NCAA DII World Series game against Tampa Saturday, May 30. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.
 
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Challenge accepted
In a field of eight teams, Bentley is the #7 seed for the NCAA DII World Series, and Tampa is the #2 seed. Whereas the Falcons are making their first ever World Series appearance, Tampa is the two-time reigning national champion. Regardless of Saturday's result, Bentley will play Monday, June 1 (opponent and time TBD).
 
The elite eight
In addition to #7 Bentley and #2 Tampa, #3 Catawba and #6 Point Loma join the 'pod'. The other group consists of #1 West Chester, #4 Central Missouri, #5 UT-Tyler, and #8 University of Indianapolis. Each 'pod' is a double-elimination round. The two advancing team then play a best-of-three series for the national title.
 
A year of many firsts
To say that the 2026 Bentley baseball season has been a 'breakthrough' is an understatement. This year's team set the program record for wins. The Falcons enter this weekend with 44 victories, far surpassing last year's record off 33 wins. This spring, Bentley won its first ever Northeast 10 title, earned an NCAA Championship berth for the first time, won the NCAA East Regional for the first time, advancing to the NCAA DII World Series for the first time. Bentley set numerous program records along the way this season (new records listed at the end of this preview).
 
All-Region for the region's best team
Jared Berardino, Stan DeMartinis III, Curt Heath, Pat Heber, Nick Pappas, and Brendan Sencaj each All-Region honors from the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), D2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA), and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). Click here to learn more.
 
Among elite company
Nick Pappas was named to the All-America Third Team by the ABCA and NCBWA, and Brendan Sencaj earned All-America Third Team from D2CCA. Pat Heber and Stan DeMartinis III joined Pappas on the ABCA All-America Third Team. Pappas and DeMartinis earned All-America Honorable Mention from D2CCA.
 
Stanimal
Stan DeMartinis III is the only player in the NCAA DII World Series with at least 20 home runs this season. He has 23. With one swing of the bat against Adelphi on May 1, DeMartinis set the Bentley records for home runs in a season and home runs in a career. Those records were previously held by head coach Mike Hill. DeMartinis has 47 career home runs with Bentley.
 
Get on, get home
Nick Pappas holds Bentley's single-season records hits (101) and runs scored (84). He is the only Falcon in program history to reach 100 hits in a season. Among all NCAA DII World Series participants, Pappas leads the group in runs scored and total hits.
 
Dino's dingers
If it weren't for Stan DeMartinis III's outstanding 2026 season, Jared Berardino would be tied for Bentley's single-season home run record (19). The graduate student powered up in a big way after hitting six home runs in 2025 – his first season with Bentley as a transfer.
 
Man of many crowns
Pat Heber is Bentley's all-time leader in wins (23) and strikeouts (283). He also tied with teammate Sam Belliveau for the most wins a single season (10). Heber is 10-0 this season with nine quality starts. Heber has a 1.30 ERA in four postseason starts this spring.  
 
Eigenbrod's gem
Pitching in the biggest game of his young collegiate career, sophomore Zach Eigenbrod was sensational in his NCAA Super Regional start against Molloy. He allowed just two hits through 8.1 innings, and he struck out seven batters. Eigenbrod ended up with a no-decision. Earlier this season, the Littleton, Colorado native tied a Bentley record with 15 strikeouts in a game. He achieved the feat against Southern Connecticut (April 3). Eigenbrod's 105 strikeouts this season are a program record, surpassing Luke Dawson's 95 strikeouts in 2018.
 
The bell cow
Sam Belliveau has pitched at least 8.0 innings in each of his last two starts. He allowed only two earned runs through 9.0 innings in his NCAA Regional win over Wilmington (Del.), and he pitched 8.0 innings while yielding just two earned runs when Bentley clinched the NCAA East Regional title over Molloy. The graduate transfer has pitched at least 6.0 innings in 10 of his 14 appearances this season.
 
Sencaj's super series
Brendan Sencaj homered twice during Bentley's NCAA Super Regional series against Molloy. He also hit a home runn during the NCAA Regional against Wilmington (Del.). Overall through 10 postseason games, Sencaj and three home runs, 10 RBI, and a .316 batting average.
 
They key from the 'pen
Bentley closer Keegan Antelman continues to answer the call, whatever the call may be. He pitched 5.0 innings out of the bullpen to earn the win over Wilmington (Del.) when Bentley advanced to the NCAA Super Regional. He was also the pitcher of record by pitching a hitless ninth inning when the Falcons clinched the NCAA East Regional title against Molloy.
 
Bentley in the media
In recent weeks, the Bentley baseball team has been featured by the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, WHDH 7 News, WCVB 5, the Waltham Times, and more.