Oberlin, Ohio – In a thrilling, 20-inning Senior Day doubleheader, the Oberlin College baseball team defeated Ohio Wesleyan 4-3 before tying the Battling Bishops 8-8 in 11 innings, with the game getting called due to darkness. With the victory, the Yeomen improve to 16-17-1 (4-7) overall, with game two set to be completed at a later date. 

Prior to the opening pitch, Oberlin recognized their 2026 graduating class of Alex Gaetano, Brady Groves, Nik Mezzanotte, JT Schoessel, and Anton Shelton. Following the starting lineups, Shelton, a Jazz Trombone Performance dual-degree student—and the first student in Oberlin history to complete the five-year dual degree in four years while on a varsity sport—beautifully played his trombone rendition of the national anthem. 

"It's always special to recognize the contributions from our five seniors. We cannot thank them enough for their commitment to our program," Head Coach Johnathan Ray adds. "They are a special group and will be missed." 

Calvin Burkholder got the start on the mound in game one, pitching 3.1 innings and allowing three hits, two runs (both earned), and posting a pair of strikeouts. Shane McKenna came in for the relief with one hit, one run (earned), and a trio of strikeouts across 1.2 innings. Micah Rodriguez closed things out with 4.0 innings, surrendering only one hit and registering four strikeouts to secure his second win of the season. 

Robbie Lynn recorded a trio of hits, producing one RBI, while Groves, Kyle Baxt, and Sam Labrecque tallied two hits each, with Groves adding two RBIs. 

Following a quick 1-2-3 inning for Burkholder with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout, Groves drilled a home run to left field with Patrick Leonard on base to give Oberlin an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. In the ensuing inning, Ohio Wesleyan responded with a run off a fielder's choice to close the gap at 2-1. 

In the bottom of the third, Lynn launched an RBI double to left field, scoring Baxt. OWU scored in the fourth and later scored an RBI single in the sixth to tie Oberlin at 3-3. In the bottom of the seventh, Groves slammed a double down the left field line, moving into scoring position. Baxt followed with a left field line single, scoring Groves and elevating the Yeomen to a 4-3 lead. Unable to score in the eighth, Rodriguez pitched a quick 1-2-3 inning in the ninth as the Crimson and Gold clinched the 4-3 victory. 

Oberlin went through seven pitchers in game two, with Jameson Bryant making the start with 4.0 innings, allowing seven hits, one run, and posting one strikeout. Shido Bao closed the game with 2.0 innings, recording three critical strikeouts. 

Shelton notched a trio of hits through five bats while Groves, Baxt, and Labrecque added two hits each with a combined four RBIs. 

The Battling Bishops got on the scoreboard first in the second inning, but Mezzanotte tied the game with his sacrifice fly, scoring Lynn. It wasn't until the sixth inning when back-to-back singles lifted OWU to a 3-1 lead. 

Oberlin followed with an exhilarating five-run inning, led by an RBI single to the left side from Ryan Robinson. With bases loaded, Groves walked, scoring Mezzanotte. Baxt drilled a two-RBI single up the middle to claim a 5-3 edge for the Yeomen. Labrecque extended Oberlin's advantage to 6-3 with an RBI single to shortstop to close the sixth inning scoring. 

Shelton scored once more in the seventh off an Ohio Wesleyan error. The Battling Bishops responded with their own five-run inning in the ninth to regain the lead at 8-7. Daniel Devapalan stepped in as a pinch hitter, drilling a double to left field to score Mezzanotte and tie OWU. Unable to score once more, Oberlin entered a 10th inning. 

With a runner in scoring position, Ohio Wesleyan's Luke Johnson started his visit ahead with a 2-0 count. Bao delivered three straight looking strikes, allowing Oberlin to return to the plate. The Yeomen followed with a short inning, with their only run coming from a single from Shelton. In the top of the 11th, OWU's Reynaldo Pelaez got on base with a walk, advancing to third after a failed pickoff attempt and putting Oberlin in a dangerous position. Bao executed back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning, giving the Yeomen another scoring opportunity. 

Schoessel walked to start the inning as Kyle Takahashi's sacrifice bunt sent Schoessel to second. The Yeomen returned to the top of their lineup as Leonard, hoping to seal the victory, struck out swinging. OWU intentionally walked Groves, for the second time this game, and Baxt followed with a walk to load the bases. Labrecque up at the plate, hoping to deliver his second grand slam of the week, drilled the ball to right field, but was caught by the Battling Bishops' to end the inning. 

With clouds covering the sky and night approaching, the game was called due to darkness, though it is set to be completed at a later date.

"Overall, today was a great day. We got the first win and still need to finish off the second one," Ray continues. 

The Yeomen return to action on Tuesday, April 28, when they travel to Wittenberg for a conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m., with game two slated to begin approximately at 3 p.m. 

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