At five years old, Anden Bender did not just play with toys—he picked up a baseball and found his first true passion. Whether tossing a ball around the house or chasing after grounders in the backyard, he seemed destined to grow up with the game. Bender’s love for baseball wasn’t something that had to be taught. It came naturally, building the foundation for a future of discipline, determination, and an unwavering drive to get better.
While many kids bounce between different hobbies or sports, Bender stayed loyal to baseball. That loyalty, paired with years of hard work, helped him become one of the top players at Revere High School. Now a junior, Bender has officially committed to playing Division I baseball at the University of Akron—a milestone that represents the countless hours he has spent practicing, training, and believing in what he could achieve.
Bender’s journey through high school baseball offered plenty of defining moments, but few matched the adrenaline and excitement of a critical playoff game during his freshman year.
“My most memorable moment was my freshman year when we beat Hawken in the second round of playoffs. We were up by one in the bottom of the 7th with two outs and a guy on third base. A pop fly was hit to our left fielder Kellen Smith. He made the catch and the guy at third went to tag up. Kellen lets it fly, a perfect throw to home to get him out. It was a great way to end the game,” he said.
Moments like that do not come easily. Throughout every season, Bender approaches the game with a routine built around repetition and accountability. While many players attend team practices and leave it at that, Bender looks for ways to squeeze in extra work whenever possible.
“In season we have practices during the week when we don’t have games, and after practice I’ll try to hit at my house if I have time to get more work in,” he said. “I’ll still try to get 2–3 lifts in during the week, not as heavy as off-season, paired with stretching to keep my body loose,” he said
When the school year slows down and most students look forward to breaks, Bender pushes harder. His off-season work ethic highlights the seriousness of his goals and the company he keeps along the way.
“Off season I will go to a hitting facility anywhere from 3–6 days a week. I have a few buddies that I go with, and that keeps it fun. I’ll lift 3–4 days in the offseason. These lifts are more heavier lifts trying to build strength and mass,” he said.
Bender’s consistent effort made him a standout on the field, but what set his recruiting process apart was the connection he quickly built with Akron’s coaching staff. While some programs delayed decisions and asked players to wait, Akron made their interest clear early on.
“I fell in love with the coaches and their philosophy. They keep it very structured over there, from goal setting to mapping out each day from 6 a.m. to midnight. The recruitment process was fairly simple for me. Schools reached out and would talk with me, but said they were going to wait to make a decision till spring. Akron really jumped on me and didn’t let off. They called me every week, and I built a good relationship with all the coaches, and that showed me how much they cared,” Bender said.
As he moves into this next chapter, Bender doesn’t travel alone. His mom and dad Leah and Lee Bender have been a part of his baseball story from the very beginning, and their pride in his accomplishments is as strong as the hours he’s put into his game.
“It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to watch him grow and become the player and person God created him to be,” Leah Bender said.
For his father, Lee Bender, the experience carries an even deeper perspective. Having coached Anden for years, Lee now enjoys watching from the stands—a shift that allows him to truly savor each moment.
“For many years, I was his coach, so watching him play as his coach and now as his parent are very different experiences. I was more focused on the team when I was coaching, but now I can sit back and really focus on watching him play, which is very enjoyable. He is very blessed to have Cottrell and Wido as his coaches because not only are they great role models and teachers of the game, but they also stress the importance of great sportsmanship and character,” he said.
Their support has never wavered, and neither has their emphasis on finding the right balance between sports, school, and personal growth. Leah continues to encourage Anden to stay grounded in his faith and values, no matter how busy life gets.
“I encouraged him to have a strong faith foundation; loving and supporting him while teaching him to work hard and encouraging him to pray about it all,” she said.
Lee reinforces that message, reminding Anden that academics and character development hold just as much importance as athletic success.
“Now that he is pursuing playing a collegiate sport, balancing academics, athletics and life outside of baseball is really important. We have always stressed academics as an important foundation for college success, but we also believe that athletics can help shape your character,” he said.
The day Anden made his commitment official was filled with overwhelming pride and gratitude for the entire Bender family. After years of early mornings, late nights, and long drives to practices and games, they now had the chance to celebrate a dream realized.
“Gratefulness, excitement, happiness and pride. I feel so blessed that we will be able to continue to watch him play the game he loves and to cheer him on so close to home,” Leah said.
For Lee, knowing that his son would play nearby in the Mid-American Conference made the achievement even sweeter.
“[We are] beyond excited and proud of him for achieving one of his dreams. Selfishly, it will be really nice to have him playing for Akron and in the MAC Conference because we can watch most of his games in person,” he said.
Although Bender looks forward to stepping onto a college field and competing at the next level, the relationships and memories he’ll build matter just as much to him.
“I’m most excited about the experiences and relationships I will build along the way. Yes, I’m super excited to actually play the game, but being able to travel all over the country with your best friends is something I look forward to,” he said.
With his high school career nearing its final innings, Bender remains committed to finishing strong—and offering guidance to younger players who share the same dreams he once had.
“My advice would be to outwork everyone else. It’s going to take work and patience but it will pay off. You have to be training outside of just normal practices if you aspire to play at the next level,” he said.
The next chapter of Bender’s journey already has a destination. But it’s the lessons he carries—faith, hard work, and perseverance—that will define how far he continues to go.
