Baseball's Dominican Republic Immersion, Album 1
The Wabash College baseball team enjoyed a trip to the Dominican Republic, Dec. 16-22, that joined the strengths of an immersion learning experience with sporting competition. Forty-six student-athletes, the largest immersion learning endeavor the College has produced, traveled to the Caribbean to engage in a learning experience that included history, culture, and baseball.
Based in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, the team had four scheduled games, a day of history and culture centered around Spanish Professor Dan Rogers’ SPA 312/HSP277 class: The Dominican Republic and Baseball, and two community service projects. Fifteen students on the trip came ready with a knowledge of the history of the island that dates back to Christopher Columbus’ landing in 1492 and colonialization under the occupations that included the Spanish, French, Haitians, and the U.S. and shared that knowledge with teammates.
This gallery focuses on the Little Giants’ first game of the trip, Dec. 17 vs. the D.R. Army at Olimpico.
The Little Giants warm up for the first international baseball game in program history.
Assistant Coach Cesar Barrientos (left) and Head Coach Jake Martin '03 prior to first pitch.
The mood was light on this December morning.
Ben Henke readies for his first at bat.
There was anticipation in the visitors' dugout as Grant Fackel (left) and Nate Brumfield look on.
Martin keeps the mood light.
Zach Bielecki warms up pregame.
Ryan Williams gets loose prior to game one in the Dominican Republic.
(From left) Fackel, Brumfield, Carson Vlcan and Coby Stephens get comfortable in the visitors' dugout.
Tanner Turnpaugh (center) enjoys a moment with teammates.
Nick Wangler is all business.
Ben Henke awaits first pitch.
For those members of the pitching staff not scheduled to pitch, charting pitches is an essential task.
Camden Scheidt stands in the batter's box.
Will McKinzie (left) and Trey Pitcock pause for a photo.
Scheidt takes a lead off first base.
There was plenty of support in the dugout.
Will Fremion takes a swing.
Pitching Coach Mac Lozer eyes the field.
JImmy Hawksworth keeps things loose.
Will McKinzie puts a good swing on the ball.
Dean of the College Todd McDorman (in hat) served as the Wabash official scorer.
Caleb Everson was the Little Giant starting pitcher.
Everson delivers a pitch.
Catcher Evan Neukam (facing camera) talks with his teammates.
Michael Galanos readies for action.
Fremion (38) celebrates the end of a half inning with a high five.
Barrientos chats with the umpire.
Henke (in box) and Galanos have eyes on the opposing pitcher.
Nearly every Little Giant was close to the action.
Plenty of Wabash parents made the trip to the Dominican Republic.
Attentions were directed to the field of play.
Even passers by were interested in the action.
Bradley Gilliam is ready at third base.
Braeden Bryant (center) in the dugout.
Everson on the mound.
Gilliam (left) and Everson following an out.
Martin likes what he sees.
Henke awaits the pitch.
Scheidt readies at first base.
A swing and a miss.
Everson walks off the field at the end on an inning.
Gavin Pierson surveys the field.
The home team has a meeting on the mound.
Neukam (in helmet) and Martin talk at third base.
McKinzie indicates one out.
Will Phillips takes a hack.
Gilliam takes a lead off first base.
Jackson Fronek chats with a teammate.
Grant Stratton delivers a pitch.
Scheidt holds a base runner.
Fremion makes the catch.
Bryant takes in the action.
Caleb Everson (left) and Jacob Edwards are all smiles during this December tilt.
Plenty of local wares were available.
This trio was enjoying the game.
Little Giants watch from their dugout area.
Will Fremion (right) watches the action.
Galanos readies for his at bat as Henke stands in the batter's box.
Wabash used wood bats on the trip.
Scheidt prepares for his next at bat.
Everyone gathers for a postgame photo on the mound.