Introduction to College Baseball Hardship
Years of baseball hardship will end Tuesday afternoon for either the Yeshiva University Maccabees or the Lehman College Lightning. Yeshiva, a Modern Orthodox Jewish school, has dropped 99 consecutive contests, while its New York City neighbor carries a 42-game losing skid into Tuesday’s nonconference doubleheader in Teaneck, New Jersey.
The Losing Streaks
The Maccabees, 0-18 this season, last won a game on Feb. 27, 2022, in a doubleheader sweep of the John Jay Bloodhounds. The 0-13 Lightning last checked in to the win column on May 9, 2023, with a 7-4 victory over the Baruch College Bearcats. Yeshiva alumnus and comic Eitan Levine called the matchup "statistically, the worst baseball game of all time."
Historical Context
Yeshiva, however, still has years to go before it comes close to the 228 consecutive games the Caltech Beavers lost from 2003 to 2013. The NCAA does not have any record of most combined losses by two teams meeting in any one contest. An NCAA spokesperson, told of the upcoming Yeshiva-Lehman contest, said Monday, "Wow, those are big numbers."
Upcoming Matchup
The two longest losing streaks in college baseball will officially play each other on Tuesday. Yeshiva carries a 99-game losing streak dating back to 2022, while Lehman has lost 42 straight since 2023. Lehman is 17-0 all-time versus Yeshiva, averaging 15.35 runs per game.
The matchup has garnered significant attention, with many considering it the "worst baseball game of all time."
Team Responses
Yeshiva coach Jeremy Renna, athletic director Greg Fox, and all the players refused comment on the losing streak, according to a university spokesperson. No Yeshiva representative is expected to be made available for comment after Tuesday’s game, which will be played at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Lehman athletic director Ryan McCarthy said he’s still confident in Lightning coach Chris Delgado, even as the losses pile up.
Coaching Perspective
Delgado, 26, acknowledged all of the losing has been tough to endure but insists the team is making progress. "Being on a losing streak is tough, especially a lengthy one, as many people will measure success by the number of tallies in the win column," said Delgado, a pitcher on the last Lehman team to win a ballgame in 2023. "However, results don’t determine the type of program that we have. With the new coaching turnover, we’re rebuilding [a] program that’s establishing a strong foundation of excellence and integrity."
Game Details
The Naimoli Family Baseball Complex, Tuesday’s venue, is among several facilities that Yeshiva regularly rents as its home diamond. It has no lights. So in theory, a monster extra-inning affair in Game 1 could end in a tie. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET, with sunset at 7:28 p.m. The Division III schools last met on the baseball diamond on May 13, 2022, when Lehman won 12-11.
Conclusion
The upcoming game between Yeshiva University Maccabees and Lehman College Lightning marks a significant moment in college baseball history, with the two teams combining for 141 straight losses. While the losing streaks are notable, the teams are focused on rebuilding and establishing a strong foundation for future success.
FAQs
- Q: What are the current losing streaks of Yeshiva University Maccabees and Lehman College Lightning?
A: Yeshiva University Maccabees have a 99-game losing streak, while Lehman College Lightning have a 42-game losing streak. - Q: When was the last time Yeshiva University Maccabees won a game?
A: The Maccabees last won a game on Feb. 27, 2022. - Q: What is the historical context of the losing streaks?
A: Yeshiva’s 99-game losing streak is significant but still far from the 228 consecutive games lost by the Caltech Beavers from 2003 to 2013. - Q: What are the teams’ expectations for the upcoming game?
A: The teams are focused on rebuilding and establishing a strong foundation for future success, despite the notable losing streaks.
