Benjamin Fitzgerald
According to the Occidental Athletics website, the baseball team secured a three-game sweep against Curry College March 14.
Third baseman Benjamin Fitzgerald (junior) said this season has been a vast improvement from last season.
“It’s just a different vibe and a different level of confidence,” Fitzgerald said. “We learned how to play for each other.”
Fitzgerald said his key to success is maintaining a clear head and focusing on having fun.
“When I’m on the field, it’s just me against the pitcher,” Fitzgerald said. “I like competition, so if I can have fun on the field it maximizes my performance.”
Fitzgerald said he has been playing baseball since he was 4 years old.
“When it becomes too serious, I think back to when I was […] with my dad coaching,” Fitzgerald said. “That little guy would love to see where [I am] now.”
Baseball head coach Luke Wetmore said at the collegiate level, team chemistry matters more than anything.
“Vibes matter a lot,” Coach Wetmore said. “How connected are the guys? Do they support each other?”
Wetmore said this year, their success has been dependent on the team vibe.
“They know their teammates have their back and are pulling for them to be successful,” Wetmore said.
According to Wetmore, the team has come back stronger after a 2025 season riddled with injuries. Wetmore said younger, less experienced players had to step up this season, and their hard work is paying off so far.
“Ben was one of those guys [and now] his true ability is coming through, especially with the bat,” Wetmore said.
Wetmore said Fitzgerald is a coachable player; he makes quick adjustments in his swing, shows the awareness to ask questions and implements coaching points quickly.
“He knows what’s going on and when he doesn’t, he’s willing to ask,” Wetmore said. “In a game of adjustments, that is very important.”
Coach Wetmore said the team has been playing exciting, hard-fought baseball.
“It’s been a little ugly at times, but it’s exciting,” Wetmore said. “There’s a lot of fight in this team.”
Delphine Way
Delphine Way (junior) clocked a Top 4 Occidental record time with the best DIII performance in the 800 meter at the Oxy Distance Carnival March 9. Way said she is using her collegiate ranking as motivation for the rest of the season.
“I am really excited for the second half of the season [and to] keep working on that time,” Way said.
Way said her first time doing track was in sixth grade, but she didn’t return to the sport until her junior year of high school.
“I went to one track practice, went home and told my mom I quit because running in circles is stupid,” Way said. “My mindset [has] definitely changed since [then].”
Way said she attributes most of her success this year to her change in mindset after a whirlwind of injuries her sophomore year.
“This year for the first time […] I’m competing instead of just running,” Way said.
After returning from an injury caused by a 25-pound kettlebell falling on her foot, Way said she was ready to compete in the conference championship at the end of her sophomore year. However, according to Way, she suffered a stress reaction in the same foot just one week before the competition.
“It was honestly one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever gone through,” Way said. “It meant so much to me to be able to race.”
Way said the setback showed her how much the sport means to her.
“It makes me show up a little more on race day this year because nothing is guaranteed,” Way said. “I could get hit with another kettlebell any day now.”
Way said she is motivated by her teammates, who show up for each other every day.
“It looks like I’m racing alone […] but I could not do any of what I’m doing now without [my teammates],” Way said. “It’s what makes [me] show up and compete well, and it’s what makes us the best team in the SCIAC.”
According to women’s track and field assistant coach Tyler Yamaguchi, despite Way being abroad in the fall, she has notched remarkable performances recently.
“She’s absolutely delivered on what she said she was going to [do],” Yamaguchi said.
Yamaguchi said Way takes care of her body, gets enough sleep and is very diligent about scheduling out her day.
“She takes care of the little things,” Yamaguchi said. “That’s pretty unique.”
Contact Amelia Darling at adarling@oxy.edu
