Oberlin, Ohio – One day removed from their North Coast Athletic Conference split with John Carroll University, the Oberlin College baseball team defeated their former conference foe, Hiram College, 3-0 in an eight-inning game shortened by lightning in the area. Hiram, led by Oberlin Heisman Club Hall of Famer Phil Brua '11, had defeated the Yeomen in their last four matchups over the past two seasons.  

Coming off a go-ahead grand slam in the 7-6 victory over the Blue Streaks, second-year utility man Sam Labrecque got the starting nod on the mound for the Yeomen.

Labrecque, who has started 31 games in the field, was making his third start of the year on the bump and his fourth appearance overall. The physical toll of a 40-game season on his body adds up, but Labrecque is consistently able to put himself in a position to succeed. 

"Honestly, it's all about doing what it takes to make the body feel good," Labrecque said. "I'm very grateful for our Oberlin Sports Medicine Staff. Our trainer, Justin Blankenburg, has put in so much work in keeping my arm and body in healthy enough shape to pitch as well as play conference games at shortstop."

Beyond the physical toll pitching and hitting takes on his body, Labrecque has to navigate the mental aspect as well.

"My approach is honestly much different between pitching and hitting," Labrecque continued. "When I'm at shortstop, I know I usually have a six-hour, 18-inning day ahead of me. The goal is to maintain a consistent level of energy that doesn't burn me out but also keeps me locked in. [When I'm] pitching, I know I will likely be out there for only a few innings. Around an hour or so of work. So I'm going 100 percent the whole time. I can let myself burn out."

Equipped with the mental and physical fortitude to handle the responsibilities of hitting, pitching, and playing shortstop, Labrecque welcomes the challenge. 

"I love being able to do both," he said. "The season is long. The privilege of getting to mix things up allows me to make each game feel more unique ."

Against the Terriers, Labrecque delivered his best outing of the season. The right-hander delivered four shutout innings, scattering four hits and tallying two strikeouts. 

Following Labrecque, the Yeomen bullpen was lights out. The quartet of second-years Noah Parker and Lachlan Nichol and first-years Shido Bao and Benjamin Regan tossed three scoreless innings, allowing no hits while punching out three. 

Offensively, the Yeomen were led by Kyle Baxt. The Wellington, Florida native lifted a sacrifice fly to right field in the first inning to score first-year center fielder Patrick Leonard, who led off the inning with a double down the left field line to give Oberlin an early 1-0 advantage.

Then in the bottom of the fifth with Leonard on first, Baxt crushed a 1-0 inside fastball into the hedges above the left-center wall to give the Yeomen a 3-0 lead. It was Baxt's fifth blast of the season, breaking a three-way tie with Leonard and second-year designated hitter Daniel Krabill for the team lead. 

In the top of the eighth inning, the game was delayed due to lightning in the area. After multiple lightning strikes followed in the next hour, the game was called, and the Yeomen secured a 3–0 shutout victory.

With the win, the Yeomen are 15-17-1. Oberlin will face off against Ohio Wesleyan in an NCAC doubleheader Saturday, April 25 on Dill Field. Prior to the first pitch of game one, the Crimson and Gold will honor their five graduating Obies. Celebrations are set for 11:45 a.m., with first pitch slated for 12 p.m.
 
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