Oberlin, Ohio – The Oberlin College baseball team enters the 2020 season with the talent and depth to make a return trip to the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament for the first time since 2017.
 
"We got a good group of guys in this dugout who are eager to get out there and compete," said 10th-year Head Coach Adrian Abrahamowicz. "I have been really impressed with what I have seen throughout the preseason and think we will be in position to win a lot of games."
 
The Yeomen's robust pitching staff features 24 arms with the coaching staff still trying to determine who will rise to the top. Sophomore Ian Ashby made 13 appearances with all but one coming in relief, but he will likely transition into a starting role this spring after locking down four saves and a win out of the pen as a rookie. Classmate Jacob Thompson (2-1, 7.92 ERA), who started the early portion of 2019 in the rotation, could be used as a starter but maybe better suited for a role in the backend of the Yeomen bullpen.
 
Sophomore southpaw Zachary Bayfield (10 app) showed flashes at times during his first season and will push for more innings alongside juniors Nick Dawkins (12 app) and Kotaro Kajita (1-2 6.55 ERA). First-years Vince Dolcemaschio, Franklin Colburn, Justin Fuls, Travis Cann, and Jackson Schaum have each impressed throughout the preseason and could be on the bump in some high-leverage situations come spring. Seniors Bradley Jamison (10 app), Tyler Hartman (4 app), and senior co-captain Jack Derwin will also strive to end their respective careers on a high note.
 
"We got a lot of guys on staff with a lot of talent that are trying to put it all together," Abrahamowicz said in regards to his pitchers. "We are looking for guys to step up and become leaders in the rotation and the bullpen."
 
With the departure of All-NCAC and All-Region honoree Brendan Mapes, the Yeomen's catching situation is one with very little experience. Sophomore Michael Anastasio went 2-for-7 (.286 BA) at the plate last year over seven games, while classmate John Schooner was 1-for-2 (.500 BA) while appearing in just three games. They will be competing for the starting job with freshmen William Heffernan, Alex Vaughan, Sean Livingstone and Matt Nichols.
 
The Yeomen return a bulk of talent across the infield with junior shortstop Ben Reed headlining the unit. The York, Pennsylvania native returns after starting all 38 games a season ago, hitting .352 while stealing a team-best 13 bases. Defensively, he posted a fielding percentage of .969 with just five errors on 163 chances. Sophomore David Fineman was limited to 21 games last year due to injury, but hit .310 before going down and is slated to return at second base to pair with Reed up the middle.
 
All-NCAC selection Alexis Castillo is back to man first base after going error free over 34 games while hitting .358 with 12 doubles and 26 RBIs. Ashby (.270 BA) and Thompson may also factor in at first and designated hitter, especially against left-handed pitching. Thompson was second on the team in batting average last year at .379 as he drove in 34 while belting 12 doubles, three homers and five triples.
 
Coach Abrahamowicz has multiple options to consider at the hot corner with seniors Parker Goldstein (.311 BA) and Derwin (.159 BA) competing against sophomore James Sullivan (missed all of 2019) and freshman Yianni Gardner.
 
"It has been great to see our infield group working to get better each day at practice," Abrahamowicz said. "The guys have been pushing one another well and it's only going to make us better going forward."
 
Junior Lawrence Hamilton, who was an All-NCAC second-team selection last spring, leads a talented Yeomen outfield. Hamilton hit .359 with 12 doubles, three home runs, and 30 RBIs in his second season. Sophomore transfer Darien Knowles brings an added dimension to centerfield with elite speed and tracking ability. Left field remains a question heading into the year with senior incumbent and co-captain Jack Marsjanik (.297 BA) getting first crack with Thompson, Nick Nelson (.294 BA in 2019) and rookies Chris Wolfe and Nicolas Rosa-Palermo potentially factoring into the mix.
 
"Our outfield play should be much improved this year as I have confidence in each of these guys to get the job done," Abrahamowicz noted.
 
The Yeomen open the season on March 4 against local rival Baldwin Wallace University before taking a weekend road trip to Westfield, Indiana, for a three-game set against Calvin College (MI) at Grand Park. The spring break slate will feature nine games over five days (March 21-25) in Tucson, Arizona, with the home opener set to take place on Sunday, March 29 against Mount Union following the conference-opening doubleheader at Wooster the day prior.
 
Fans who cannot attend the games in person can watch all of the home games live online at goyeo.com/stream. Home games can also be accessed on a TV through the official Oberlin College athletics app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV.