Bremen Athletics

Less than 12 hours off an intense conference victory, the varsity Lions were back on the road, this time to take on Culver Academy in a non-conference doubleheader. The teams split the twin billing on a gorgeous spring day, with Culver taking game one 13-3 and Bremen bouncing back in game two with a 14-1 victory. The Lions returned home with a 5-1 record and a much-needed day off on Sunday. In game one, the Bremen platoon's first inning struggles finally caught up with them, as the team fell behind 8-2 after one. A run of walks and long at bats undid JJ Cencelewski's RBI double in the top of the first and put Bremen in an early hole. Senior Zack Rouch took the mound in early relief and bailed out a depleted pitching staff with two innings of quality work. The Academy's Eagles played tremendous defense throughout the game - particularly in the outfield - to prevent Bremen from getting the wheels turning on a comeback. The Lions only struck out one time, but didn't draw any walks and only complied four hits throughout the game. Senior Maddux Hickman relieved Rouch and covered two scoreless innings. Although the Lions knocked the ball around and stole five bases, Culver was able to extend their lead and activate the run rule in the bottom of the 5th with one final rally. While Bremen was able to right the ship after the first inning, they just couldn't escape the Saturday morning trap, ultimately falling 13-3, suffering their first loss of the 2026 campaign. Saturday, April 25th @ Culver Academy (Game 1) Culver Academy 13 Bremen 3 Hitters CF Corban Van Vuren: 1-3, RBI LF JJ Cencelewski: 1-3, 2B, R, RBI 1B Landon Bates: 1-2, R, SB Pitchers Maddux Hickman: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K Game 2 The Lions got right in the afternoon game behind a clutch pitching debut from Cole Mason. The sophomore threw four scoreless innings, not allowing a hit and only walking two Eagle hitters. Senior right fielder Braeden Corwin rewarded Mason's effort with a two out, two run single in the 2nd inning to put Bremen ahead 2-0. In the fourth, red-hot senior Landon Bates brought DH Zack Rouch around with a two strike triple and scored Bremen's fourth run on another RBI single by Corwin. Mason mowed down the Academy hitters, protecting the Bremen lead and attacking the zone throughout the third and fourth innings en route to a win in his first varsity start. The Lions finally broke it open in the top of the 5th, highlighted by a bases-clearing double off the bat of sophomore Aiden Alvarado, set up by a bunt single from Zack Buszkiewicz. Bates and Mason both drove in runs to push Bremen's lead to 10-0 going into the bottom of the 5th. For the fourth consecutive game, Senior Maddux Hickman took the ball for Bremen and delivered a clutch late-game performance on the bump. He notched the final six outs and secured a big bounce back win for the Lions on a day when the pitching staff was running on fumes. Saturday, April 25th @ Culver Academy (Game 2) Bremen 14 Culver Academy 1 Hitters 2B Landon Bates: 3-4, 3B, 4 R, 2 RBI SS Aiden Alvarado: 1-4, 2B, R, 3 RBI, SB RF Braeden Corwin: 3-4, 4 RBI Pitchers Cole Mason: 4.0 IP, W, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K // 1-2, RBI, BB Maddux Hickman: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K Bremen concludes the week with a 5-1 record on the season. The team will travel to School Field on Monday to face off with SB Adams, 5:00 first pitch. All photos courtesy of John Buszkiewicz.