2025 NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD CARD SERIES “D”

Columbus

Explorers

vs.

Bethesda

Bandicoots

SERIES PREVIEW – Bandicoots’ Power Bats vs. Explorers’ Bullpen Depth in Clash of Styles

Bethesda, MD – October 28, 2025 — The stage is set for a compelling MWBL National League Wild Card Series as the 103-win Bethesda Bandicoots square off against the Columbus Explorers, who finished with 98 victories. The two clubs were closely matched during the regular season, with Bethesda edging the season series seven games to five.

By the Numbers
Bethesda enters the series with the league’s second-most potent offense, plating 800 runs behind a deep and dangerous lineup. Columbus, by contrast, ranked eighth with 642 runs scored but relied on strong situational hitting and timely power. Defensively, the teams are near equals: Bethesda allowed 544 runs to Columbus’ 543, underscoring the razor-thin margin separating them.

Both pitching staffs ranked among the National League’s best, with Columbus posting a 3.06 ERA (fifth) and Bethesda close behind at 3.07 (sixth). Yet their approaches differ. Bethesda leaned heavily on its starters, leading the league with 28 complete games, 15 shutouts, and 107 quality starts, but converting only 38 saves. Columbus, meanwhile, thrived in the bullpen, piling up 54 saves, with rookie closer Tim Herrin emerging as one of the league’s best, finishing second with 38.

Fielding & Intangibles
The clubs also mirror each other defensively. Columbus ranked third in the league in fielding percentage (.987), just ahead of Bethesda in fourth (.986). Both teams enter the series with reliable gloves and disciplined defensive play, limiting extra opportunities for opponents.

The Matchup
Bethesda’s strength lies in its firepower and durable rotation, while Columbus counters with bullpen dominance and an ability to win close games. With contrasting styles and a season series nearly even, the Wild Card Series is shaping up as one of the most tightly contested matchups of the postseason.

Three Keys to the MWBL National League Wild Card Series
1. Bethesda’s Rotation Endurance
The Bandicoots rely on their starters more than almost any other team in the league. With 28 complete games, 15 shutouts, and 107 quality starts, Bethesda’s formula is clear: ride their rotation deep into games. If their starters can dominate and limit bullpen exposure, the Bandicoots’ offense may have enough room to work.

2. Columbus’ Bullpen Superiority
The Explorers have built their success from the back end. Rookie closer Tim Herrin (38 saves, 2nd in NL) anchors a bullpen that secured 54 saves overall — nearly 20 more than Bethesda. Tight late-inning games strongly favor Columbus, meaning their path to victory lies in keeping contests close until the relievers take over.

3. Offense: Power vs. Precision
Bethesda’s high-octane lineup scored 800 runs during the season, second-best in the NL. They can change a game in a single inning. Columbus, however, thrives on situational hitting and putting the ball in play. If the Explorers can manufacture runs while keeping the Bandicoots in the park, they’ll tilt the balance.

X-Factor: Defense
Both teams finished among the top four in fielding percentage, making errors unlikely to decide games. But in such a tight matchup, a single misplay could swing a contest — and potentially the series.

Game 1 begins Wednesday night in Bethesda, with Joe Musgrove set to face David Peterson.

GAME #1 – David Peterson 9-6 (2.75) vs. Joe Musgrove 11-5 (2.54)

Bethesda, NB, CA – October 29, 2025 — The Columbus Explorers slugged their way to a 5–4 victory over the Bethesda Bandicoots in Game 1 of the MWBL National League Wild Card Series, seizing an early edge in the best-of-seven matchup.

Locked in a 1–1 tie, Columbus erupted in the sixth inning first with an Andrew McCutchen lead-off triple followed by an Orlando Arcia rbi double. Then the big bops were back-to-back home runs from Jake McCarthy (1) and Brendan Donovan (1). The the double, triple and two-homer inning stunned the Bethesda crowd and gave the Explorers a 5–1 lead.

Bethesda clawed back in the seventh behind with a power surge of their own. First Paul DeJong leads off with a solo blast (1) and then with 1 out, TJ Friedl’s two-run homer (1) made it 5-4 Columbus and ended David Peterson’s day. But then the Columbus’ bullpen trio of Edwin Díaz, Brent Honeywell, and Tim Herrin silenced the Bandicoots the rest of the way.

Jake McCarthy finished with two hits and two RBI to lead Columbus, while Tyler Fitzgerald collected three hits in a losing effort. David Peterson earned the win, and Herrin closed it out for the save.
With the victory, Columbus takes a 1–0 lead in the series. Game 2 will be played Thursday night in Bethesda.

Columbus 5 – Bethesda 4

Win: David Peterson 1-0 (4.26)
Loss: Joe Musgrove 0-1 (5.40)
Save: Tim Herrin #1

GAME #2 – Tobias Myers 13-9 (2.59) vs. George Kirby 20-7 (2.94)

Bethesda, NB, CA – October 30, 2025 — It took 12 innings, but the Columbus Explorers came through again, defeating the Bethesda Bandicoots 2–1 in a marathon thriller to seize a commanding 2–0 lead in the best-of-seven Wild Card Series.

Brendan Donovan got the scoring started with an RBI single, driving home Orlando Arcia in the top of the first and gave Columbus a quick advantage, but Jake Burger’s blast (1) in the seventh evened the score for Bethesda. From there, both bullpens traded zeroes, with neither side able to break through until extra innings.

In the 12th, Andrew McCutchen’s solo home run (1) delivered the dramatic run to put Columbus back on top. Brent Honeywell earned the win with 1.2 scoreless frames, and Tim Herrin shut the door in the bottom of the 12th for his second save in as many nights.

Bethesda ace George Kirby was brilliant, striking out seven over nine innings of one-run ball, but closer Josh Hader surrendered the winning run in the 12th. The Bandicoots struck out 14 times in the loss, stranding eight runners.

With the victory, Columbus heads home with a 2–0 series lead and will look to close in on a Wild Card Series sweep when play shifts to Ohio on Saturday night.

Columbus 2 – Bethesda 1 (12 Innings)

Win: Brent Honeywell 1-0 (0.00)
Loss: Josh Hader 0-1 (3.00)
Save: Tim Herrin #2

GAME #3 – Michael Wacha 10-8 (3.42) vs. Javier Assad 11-7 (3.09)

Columbus, OH – November 1, 2025 — Facing the prospect of a 3–0 series hole, the Bethesda Bandicoots responded in emphatic fashion, hammering the Columbus Explorers 14–1 in Game 3 of the MWBL National League Wild Card Series.

Bethesda set the tone early, erupting for five runs in the first inning off Javier Assad. Jake Burger (2), Shea Langeliers (1), Andrew Vaughn (1), Nick Castellanos (1), and Jeff McNeil (1) each homered in a relentless attack that produced 17 hits and 14 runs. Burger led the way with a two-hit, four-RBI performance, while Castellanos added three RBI and McNeil went 2-for-2 with a homer and two driven in.

On the mound, Michael Wacha (rebounding from a late season injury) was steady and efficient, tossing seven scoreless innings of eight-hit ball before handing the game to the bullpen with a double-digit cushion.

Columbus managed 10 hits but plated just a single run in the ninth on Kiké Hernández’s solo homer. Assad lasted just 2.2 innings, surrendering six runs, while the Explorers’ bullpen was tagged for eight more in relief.

With the victory, Bethesda cut Columbus’ series lead to 2–1 and regained momentum heading into Game 4, also in Ohio.

Bethesda 14 – Columbus 1

Win: Michael Wacha 1-0 (0.00)
Loss: Javier Assad 0-1 (16.88)

GAME #4 – Merrill Kelly 6-2 (3.82) vs. Clarke Schmidt 9-5 (2.63)

Columbus, OH – November 2, 2025 — Clarke Schmidt turned in the pitching performance of the series, tossing a two-hitter with 12 strikeouts to carry the Columbus Explorers past the Bethesda Bandicoots 2–1 in Game 4 of the MWBL National League Wild Card Series.

Brendan Donovan supplied the offense, driving in both Columbus runs with RBI singles in the fourth and ninth innings. Jake McCarthy and Daulton Varsho added doubles to pace a modest seven-hit attack.
Bethesda’s lone run came in the fourth when Spencer Horwitz reached on a walk and then scored from 3rd on a Schmidt throwing error. But from there, Schmidt silenced the Bandicoots, retiring 16 of the final 18 batters he faced.

Merrill Kelly was strong for Bethesda, allowing just one run over 7.1 innings, but closer Josh Hader took the loss, his 2nd of the series, after yielding the walk-off hit in the ninth.

With the win, Columbus grabs a commanding 3–1 series lead and now sits just one victory away from advancing. Bethesda must win out to keep its season alive.

Columbus 2 – Bethesda 1

Win: Clarke Schmidt 1-0 (0.00)
Loss: Josh Hader 0-2 (4.91)

GAME #5 – Joe Musgrove 11-5 (2.54) vs. Alex Faedo 5-3 (2.76)

Columbus, OH – November 3, 2025 — The Columbus Explorers are moving on. Backed by a middle-inning surge and clutch relief pitching, Columbus held off the Bethesda Bandicoots 6–5 in Game 5 to clinch the Wild Card Series, four games to one.

Bethesda struck early, grabbing a 3–0 lead by the second inning thanks to a two run 2nd with a Spencer Horwitz rbi single and Pete Smith FC adding to Jake Burger’s rbi single in the 1st. But the Explorers answered in the fourth, when Kiké Hernández blooped a 2 run single, followed by a Daulton Varsho rbi double. Varsho the used heads up base running to advance to 3rd on the play at the plate and scored on a D.J. LeMahieu ground out. That gave Columbus a four-run inning and a 4-3 lead.
RBI singles from Kiké Hernández and Jared Triolo stretched the Columbus’ lead to 6–3. Bethesda rallied late, with Smith cracking a 2 run double in the eighth to pull within one, but closer Tim Herrin came on and notched his third save of the series to secure the victory.

Alex Faedo earned the win, striking out eight over 5.1 innings, while Joe Musgrove (0-2) took the loss for Bethesda, allowing six runs (five earned) in 5.1 frames.

The defeat ends a 103-win season for Bethesda in bitter disappointment, while Columbus, powered by timely hitting and a sharp bullpen, advances to the next National League Division Series.

Columbus 6 – Bethesda 5

Win: Alex Faedo 1-0 (4.26)
Loss: Joe Musgrove 0-2 (6.97)
Save: Tim Herrin #2

SERIES SUMMARY – Explorers Upset 103-Win Bandicoots, Advance with 4–1 Series Victory

Columbus, OH – November 3, 2025 — The Columbus Explorers stunned the baseball world, eliminating the favored Bethesda Bandicoots in five games to capture the MWBL National League Wild Card Series.
Bethesda, winners of 103 games in the regular season, entered as favorites but struggled to contain Columbus’ timely power hitting and bullpen execution. After stealing the first two games on the road — capped by a 12-inning thriller in Game 2 — the Explorers never relinquished control of the series.

Series Turning Points
• Game 1: Columbus rode a sixth-inning power surge (triple, double, two homers) to set the tone.
• Game 2: Brendan Donovan’s 12th-inning RBI single gave Columbus a 2–0 stranglehold.
• Game 3: Bethesda finally answered back with a 14–1 rout, showing their offensive firepower.
• Game 4: Clarke Schmidt authored a complete-game two-hitter, silencing Bethesda to push Columbus ahead 3–1.
• Game 5: Kiké Hernández’s three-rbi performance powered Columbus to a series-clinching 6–5 win.

Stars of the Series
• Jake McCarthy (COL): Key hits early, including a Game 1 homer that swung momentum.
• Brendan Donovan (COL): Delivered clutch RBIs, including the Game 2 game-winner.
• Clarke Schmidt (COL): A complete-game masterpiece in Game 4, striking out 12.
• Kiké Hernández (COL): Sparked the decisive Game 5 with a three-rbis on two timely hits.
• Tyler Fitzgerald (BETH): Bethesda’s most consistent hitter (.391 for the series), though his team fell flat.

What’s Next

The Explorers advance to the National League Division Series, carrying confidence after toppling the league’s top regular-season team. Bethesda, meanwhile, is left searching for answers after a historic season ends with a stunning early exit. Congratulations go out to Nik Malatestinic and the Bethesda organization for a fine season and strong team.

The upset underscores the unpredictability of playoff baseball — where momentum, clutch hitting, and strong pitching can outweigh regular-season dominance.