Since the Yeomen’s 7-3 win at Jacobs field, things have seemed to turn around for Oberlin College baseball. After three consecutive rain delays, the Yeomen came out strong, winning four of the five games they played this past week.

On Friday, April 28, the Yeomen split a doubleheader with Grove City, winning the first game 8-4 and losing the second game 14-0. In game one, senior Ryan Squatrito pitched the entire game, going seven innings and surrendering five hits and four runs, three of which were earned. Along the way Squatrito also accumulated five strikeouts.

Offensively, the Yeomen put up a good effort. Senior catcher Kyle Neumeier led the way, going 3-4 with a two RBI double and a run scored. Junior center fielder Chad Kutting also had two RBIs and went 2-4 with a run scored. Also chipping in were juniors Landon Lerner and Joe Sheehan with an RBI apiece. Sophomore Rick Betzel also had an RBI, along with the only triple of the game.

In game two, Grove City pitcher Chris Bower pitched six innings of three-hit ball. Bower was relieved by Neil Hoagland, who pitched one inning and gave up only two hits. Sophomore Jaremy Rich started the game for the Yeomen but didn’t fare too well, pitching five and two-thirds innings and giving up seven runs, all earned, on eight hits. Sophomore Jonah Teitlebaum came in on relief, and gave up six more runs, none earned. Obviously fielding was a problem for the Yeomen in this game.

Two days later, the Yeomen were in another doubleheader, this time against Myers University. Oberlin was able to sweep this one, winning game one 11-1 and game two 13-2.

In game one, senior Ryan Drews yet again provided the Yeomen with a stellar start, pitching a full seven innings, giving up four hits and only one earned run while striking out seven. Offensively, senior third baseman/ shortstop Andrew Caprariello led the way, going 3-4 with four RBIs. First-year centerfielder Chris Pasani also chipped in going 2-2 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a double. The aforementioned Sheehan and Lerner each provided two RBIs as well.

Junior Steve Solomon started game two, pitching a full seven innings while giving up only two runs, one earned, striking out three. Kutting provided a stellar offensive performance going 2-3 with three RBIs and one run scored. Sheehan once again provided two RBIs, taking up the role of the most consistent offensive player of the week for the Yeomen.

On May 1, the Yeomen squared off against Lake Erie College. Oberlin won the game in a 10-9 nail-biter. First-year Joe Reisz started the game for the Yeomen, pitching a solid six innings of four-run baseball. Sophomore Olin Bekis struggled in relief, pitching two innings and giving up five runs, three earned.

Oberlin called upon its big guns for relief once it got close as they brought in Squatrito for two-thirds of a scoreless inning, and Drews for the last out.

Offensively, Lerner once again was the spark, going 3-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Neumeier again provided two RBIs, Sheehan, Caprariello, Betzel and first-year Alex Sugierathe provided the other four RBI.

Although the Yeomen missed the NCAC tournament, the team is hopeful for next season as they feel that players will mature: “We are only losing two pitchers, Drews and Squat and we have a big freshman team coming in,” said Betzel. “This year our biggest problem was our depth, we have a lot of young guys being thrown into positions that they aren’t ready for. With the added depth next year we should definitely be able to build something good.”

The Yeomen play their last games of the season this coming week, playing the rescheduled game against PSU-Behrand and Baldwin-Wallace, as well as a doubleheader against Thiel on Sunday. Hopefully the Yeomen will carry some of this momentum into the end of the season.