2025: Appeared in 10 games, making one start...Racked up 18 strikeouts in 19.1 innings of work...Held a 2-2 W-L record.
Prior to APU Kyle Bender joined the Cougars as a veteran presence on the mound, bringing experience from both the NCAA Division I level and the junior college circuit. Most recently, he pitched for Folsom Lake College, following a stint at the University of Washington.
During his collegiate and high school career, Bender established himself as a high-velocity right-hander:
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Collegiate Experience: At the University of Washington, he appeared in two games as a redshirt freshman in 2023, posting a 1-0 record and striking out two of the three batters he faced in a perfect outing against Northern Colorado.
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High School Accolades: At Vacaville High School, he was named an honorable mention All-American and was a two-time All-Region Second Team selection by Perfect Game. He earned Pitcher of the Year honors as a sophomore and was invited to the USA National Team trials.
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Showcase Success: A two-time participant in the prestigious Area Code Games, Bender was ranked in the 96th percentile nationally for his class by Perfect Game, with a fastball that reached 90–91 mph.
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Multi-Sport Athlete: In addition to baseball, Bender was a standout quarterback and linebacker for the Vacaville football team.
Notable Performances In April 2025, Bender earned a win in relief for Azusa Pacific, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings to secure a victory against Menlo College.
Personal Born on February 9, 2003, Kyle is the son of Mike and Heather Bender. Athletics run in the family, as his father, Mike, played baseball at Sacramento State. Off the field, Kyle was a member of the National Honor Society and received the BIONIC (Believe It Or Not I Care) Award for his service and character in high school.
Fun Fact: A three-sport athlete in high school who balanced elite-level baseball with varsity football.
