Behrend Lions Baseball 2026 Schedule Release

ERIE, Pa. - The Behrend Lions baseball program has released its 2026 schedule. The 40-game regular season schedule features games across four states this spring.

After registering a 31-11 season and back-to-back AMCC Championships, and victories in the NCAA Tournament during the past three appearances, the Lions are geared up for another competitive season with high expectations. 

"Coming off back-to-back conference championships, our expectations for ourselves keep growing," said senior pitcher Ethan Tinker. "Our coaches and teammates have created a great culture here at Behrend, where everybody works for each other, on and off the field. Expectations for the 2026 season have never been higher, and I cannot wait to compete for another AMCC championship."

Behrend opens the season in Chillicothe, Ohio for a three-game set against Albion, Heidelberg and Hiram at the end of February before traveling for the annual spring trip in Fort Pierce, Florida. Behrend will be challenged with a busy nine-game slate in the sunshine state.

"It is typical to see our guys getting work in the cage and in the weight room daily," said senior Silvio Ionadi. "Everyone is eager to get on the field and accomplish big goals in the spring. The camaraderie between the coaches and teammates makes this team very special to be a part of."

The first game on the Behrend diamond is scheduled for March 26 against the Allegheny Gators. Behrend will host 15 additional home games and open conference play in Erie on April 1 versus Hilbert. By conference decision, the AMCC features an unbalanced league slate that has teams playing a single and double-header against half the league and one date against the other side of the league. Behrend will also host non-conference games against Thiel, Fredonia, Mt. Union, St. Vincent, and Chatham.

The I-90 Cup also continues this spring against Fredonia State. Behrend will host the Blue Devils on April 14 and travel to New York on April 21.

The six-team AMCC Tournament will be held for the second straight season in Johnstown, PA at the Point Stadium on May 6-9. "I cannot wait for the upcoming season and competing with my brothers on the field," shared senior catcher, Tom Nicely. "Being able to compete is a blessing and working with my teammates and coaches, every day, is an honor. We have goals to achieve new heights and expect to have a great season."

In addition to earning back-to-back AMCC titles the past two seasons, Behrend won the 2023 ECAC Championship, the 2022 AMCC Regular Season championship, and the 2021 AMCC Conference Tournament.

"We return a talented group of young men that have performed exceptionally well both on and off the field of competition," said head coach Paul Benim. "We are very proud of who they continue to become. Between the lines we will have to work incredibly hard and ultimately perform well again in the conference tournament. We look forward to that challenge."