Baseball Loses One, Wins One
BY COLIN M. SMITH

Due to some rare early-season good weather, the Oberlin baseball team was able to get their season underway last Saturday at Earlham College’s McBride Stadium. In the doubleheader, the Yeomen struggled in the first game, losing 12-3, but rebounded in the second with a solid 5-3 win. 
In the opener, Oberlin’s sloppy play on defense allowed the game to get out of hand early. After the Yeomen had scored in the top of the second to take a 1-0 lead, they committed six errors in the bottom, leading to seven unearned Earlham runs. 
Oberlin scored again in the top of the third, but surrendered four more runs to Earlham in the bottom, as the Yeomen made another pair of errors. First-year starter Troy DeWitt was pulled after three innings, having surrendered 11 runs, only three of which were earned.
“We needed to offer [DeWitt] more support,” Coach Eric Lahetta said. “We played a poor defensive game.” 
Fellow first-year Peter Wyatt replaced DeWitt in the fourth inning, and allowed just one run on three hits in his three innings of his work. The Yeomen only managed to score one more run, which came in the top half of the fourth.
Lahetta attributed the shaky defense to nerves. “This was the first college game for some,” he said.
Oberlin fared much better in the second game. Earlham took a 1-0 lead in the third, but Oberlin answered immediately with three runs in the fourth. They added two more in the fifth on first-year B. J. Belville’s two-run homer.
“It was a pretty good feeling, watching it go over that fence,” Belville said of hitting the home run in just his second college game.
Oberlin’s defense was better in the second game as well, but still committed three errors, leading to a pair of unearned runs.
In his first collegiate game on the mound, first-year John Damron pitched all seven innings, giving a strong debut performance in the nightcap. Damron allowed just five hits and three walks, striking out seven.
“I took it upon myself to make sure we wouldn’t lose,” Damron said. Though pleased with the win, Damron said one victory wasn’t enough. “We’re only happy if we win both,” he added.
Lahetta, on the other hand, was fairly pleased with the outcome, saying “Once everyone settles in we’ll be all set. We hit the ball very well. This is the best lineup I’ve had from one to nine.”
It would be hard not to be pleased with the outcome, as multiple errors make it extremely hard to pull out wins. The Yeomen will look to decrease their defensive problems in their upcoming games this weekend, and by doing so will allow their offense to take more control over the game.
A main part of Oberlin’s strong offense on Saturday was junior Bob Montag. Montag, who is only one of four returning players, had an impressive day at the plate, as he went four for six in the two games, with two runs scored and an RBI.
The team will look forward to getting out of the snow, as they will travel to Maryville, Tenn. this afternoon for the Foothills Classic Tournament. Oberlin will play two games each against Grove City College and Maryville College on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Lahetta doesn’t expect the eight-hour trip to affect the team adversely.
“Friday is the travel day, so we’ll get a good night’s rest,” Lahetta said.
Other members of the team have something else in mind, as well.
“We’re looking forward to going South to warmer weather,” Damron said. Keeping the goal of the trip in mind, he added, “Hopefully we’ll have a good tournament.” 

After the Yeomen return from Tennessee, they will take on Thiel (Pa.) College in their home opener on Wednesday, with the first game starting at 1 p.m. and the second starting about 20 minutes after the conclusion of the first.