Baseball loses final contest, ends 6-34

Team wins most in four years

Oberlin baseball finished its season on Tuesday with a disheartening loss to playoff-bound Baldwin Wallace, ending with a push toward respectability a season that had started miserably with one win in 26 tries, including a 23-game losing streak. The season-ending push of five wins in eight games brought the team's record to 6-34, their highest win total during the past four years. It was also twice the number of wins they had last year, their best of the other three years.

It was turn-back-the-clock day at Oberlin, the Yeomen donning old-style, baggy flannel pants for their clash with Baldwin Wallace. And like the old days at Oberlin, the game started with a bang. After a scoreless top of the inning in which senior starter Carson Keeble looked as dominant as ever, the Yeomen exploded for an uncharacteristic three run lead, on the power of an opposite-field homer by senior co-captain David "Floppy" Schummers. With a lead and some confidence, the Yeomen seemed invincible for five innings. They added two more runs, including one on Schummers' second hit of the day, a double in the gap to left-center field, which increased Oberlin's scoring total to five. Keeble kept BW off balance, mixing an overpowering fastball with a wicked slider and a beguiling curve. Occasional off-speed pitches also kept BW guessing.

But during the sixth inning, things began to fall apart for Keeble and the Yeomen. It began in the field, where it has all year, when two runners were allowed on base thanks to costly errors. Rattled, Keeble made one of the only bad pitches he would make all day, a high fastball that was crushed for a towering homerun, bringing the score to 5-3. Two more runs would score that inning, tying the game and quickly taking the wind out of the Yeomen sails.

Their confidence lost, Oberlin started to falter, failing to execute routine plays and generally not making the plays that had taken them through five. In the sixth with a runner on first, a bunt attempt with two strikes went foul, resulting in an out. Later, a BW runner was stranded between first and second, but an errant throw over the first baseman's head allowed the runner not only to escape a tag, but to advance to third.

In the eighth inning, a beleaguered Keeble surrendered a pair of homers, bringing the score to 9-5. Keeble didn't seem to have lost much in his arm, but exasperation might have claimed him at the end.

A sizeable crowd gave Keeble and his mates a rousing ovation at the end, and to the seniors, including Schummers, Keeble, James Richter, and Matt Schick, recognition for, and appreciation of the commitment and effort they gave to the baseball program.

Earlier in the week, the Yeomen split a double header with non-conference opponent Hiram. Junior Matt Burns started the first game, and had more trouble than usual. Sophomore Eben Askins threw a complete game in the second contest. Askins, who has shown the ability to get hitters out all season, continued his ways with a strong outing.

Although the team lost in their first contest with Hiram, they were able to pull off an impressive victory in the second game, out-fielding, out-hitting and out-pitching their opponents. Despite some defensive fumbles, they were able to keep their infield game neat enough to hold on to the win.

Also of note this week, Coach Eric Lahetta interviewed for his job as Head Coach, as part of the college's procedure in hiring a coach from within last year. Also interviewing for the job was the pitching coach from the College of Wooster. In his first year with the team, Lahetta won 6 games, a recent high.

Field of dreams: An Oberlin player takes in Tuesday's action. (photo by Beth O'Brien)