Bentley’s Nick Pappas Pappas is 10 for 26 with two doubles and a homer in the NCAA tournament. (Bentley Athletics)
Bentley has been building and building.
The Falcons have won more games with each passing season under fourth-year coach Mike Hill (East Bridgewater, Mass.), including 44 and counting this season en route to reaching new heights.
This Bentley squad topped venerable Southern New Hampshire to win its first-ever Northeast-10 championship, clinching the NCAA tournament bid that eluded them in 2025 despite being ranked third in the East Region before an early conference playoff exit.
After facing three elimination games through the first two NCAA rounds, the Falcons played their way to another first: a College World Series.
“No, not even close,” Hill said when asked if he imagined Bentley reaching this stage so quickly under his watch. He took over in 2023 after the retirement of the late Bob DeFelice, who led the Falcons for 54 years. “We just try to get better every day. What that led to, I had no idea. As I said to them (last Friday) after we lost, I’ll take these guys to battle against anybody.”
The next stage of the Falcons’ journey begins on Saturday in Cary, N.C.
Here’s a look at Bentley’s road to the World Series and what lies ahead:
