Yale Athletics

The Yale men’s baseball team (20–10, 8–4 Ivy) went 2–1 this past weekend in a three-game homestand against Columbia (14–16, 8–4 Ivy). The two victories brought the team’s total to 20 wins on the year, a mark that the program last hit in 2022. 

However, Head Coach Brian Hamm and the staff’s process-oriented approach means that they have never been overly focused on end results.

“Hitting 20 wins is not something that is on our radar as being important other than a reflection of how we’ve done the entire year and being rewarded for that,” said Coach Hamm. “If we get caught up in our overall record, then we lose sight of what we’re accomplishing. For us, to be able to continue to play consistently is what we’re taking pride in and is the measurable.”

The series against Columbia started a day early due to rainy weather predictions, so Senior Captain Colton Shaw ’25 took the mound on Friday morning instead of on Saturday. Although his game-day prep was moved up a day, the work he did early in the week with the coaching staff paid off in big ways. 

Hamm told the News that after a few rocky starts, Shaw made a concerted effort to get more “verticality” on his slider and changeup. By streamlining his motion and extending his throwing hand out front, he was able to do just that. With a couple of small adjustments, he produced his best start of the season — pitching eight scoreless innings. 

Yet, for Shaw, maintaining a positive and resilient mindset was just as crucial to his success as any changes to his mechanics. 

“I went through a rough stretch where I didn’t produce the results I wanted, but, throughout that time, I was still focused on just loving to compete with the team,” Shaw said. “Sticking to that mindset has allowed me to not be so focused on the results I’m getting but more so on the way I’m competing and who I have the opportunity to compete alongside every day.”

As Shaw was mowing down Columbia hitters, the Yale bats heated up in a major way, and the Bulldogs put seven on the board. Senior shortstop Jeff Pierantoni ’25 had a terrific game, going one for two and scoring twice. In the bottom of the sixth, he even stole home to push the lead to 7–0. 

“Coach Keane and I picked up on the fact the Columbia pitcher came set slowly in a way that wasn’t attentive to baserunners,” Pierantoni said. “Credit to Coach Keane for giving me the green light to take home in that situation — it was a fun moment that encapsulated one of the goals of our offense, to create chaos and take advantage of other teams when they’re on their heels.”

Pierantoni’s steal, along with two additional runs scored by bunting the runner home from third, highlighted the team’s commitment to playing fundamental baseball and their one-run-at-a-time approach. 

With junior slugger Davis Hanson ’26 out of the lineup due to ACL surgery, Hamm has stressed the importance of getting separation from opponents one run at a time instead of focusing on putting crooked numbers on the scoreboard.

“Situational baseball has become part of our brand offensively,” said Hamm. “It is partially because of the ballpark we play in, partially because of the personnel that we started with two years ago, and also due to losing thirty percent of our run production in Hanson.” 

After winning 7–3 in the first leg of the Friday doubleheader, Bulldog ace Jack Ohman ’28 then took the mound and pitched lights out. He went all nine innings without allowing a run, and he struck out six. At the plate, Kaiden Dossa ’27 — who has been a model of offensive consistency all season long — drove in two runs, and the game finished with a final score of 3–0. 

While Columbia was able to pull out the win in the final game on Sunday, the Bulldogs have much to remain positive about. After all, they are currently tied for second place in the Ivy League standings with Columbia, and they have already surpassed last year’s season win total. 

While the twentieth victory might not have been something that the team was focused on reaching, it certainly was a special mark to hit — particularly for four-year program veterans like Shaw. 

“As a team, we don’t really count how many wins we have, but already hitting 20 is definitely a big milestone to hit,” Shaw said. “It’s special for me since I’ve seen how this program and the culture has been changing for four years. To see the results start to speak for the work is just really encouraging. This is a special team that is going to do special things.” 

This week, the Elis will take the field in Hamden against Quinnipiac (19–4–1, 13–5 MAAC) on Tuesday at 3 p.m. They will then head south to Philadelphia for a weekend series versus a first-place UPenn squad (16–12, 10–2 Ivy).