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Jaired Lehman Brings Dedication and Focus to Raider Baseball

Picture of Chloe Bird

Chloe Bird

  • Big Time Sports Ohio

The 2025 University of Mount Union baseball team is off to a hot start to the season. The team is full of talented individuals with a standout player being graduate student Jaired Lehman.

Lehman received his undergraduate degree from Mount Union where he played baseball all four years. The team has a current overall record of 11-6, and have played four OAC games so far taking on Marietta and Heidelberg defeating both teams twice.

Playing tough competition is just another day in the life of this Purple Raider team as they focus on how to improve themselves and not look too far ahead; “Sweeping a solid team like Marietta at their place is a great way to start OAC play. I think the biggest thing for our team is to not get too high or too low. We did the same thing last year, yet Marietta made the playoffs and we did not. We have a very talented team that knows we are capable of being one of the best teams in the country. We have one of the hardest schedules in all of Division III, but we know we can handle it. We are just gonna take it one day at a time and continue to worry about ourselves before anyone else,” said Lehman.

The team is taking the season game by game, but the team absolutely has the talent to take them to an OAC Championship and to make a run in the NCAA tournament. “Our team goals for this year is to make the playoffs and win the OAC championship. The past two seasons for us have been quite interesting. Last year we had a record of 27-13, good enough for the second best record in school history, yet we missed the playoffs by one game. It is hard to reflect on last year and not feel like a failure, but we have a lot of great pieces to build off of this year. All I pray is that this team gets to play together as long as we possibly can,” stated Lehman.

Lehman is a dual threat on the field as he pitches and hits. This is a fairly uncommon feat for college baseball players and shows Lehmans’ dedication to the game. Lehman has success in both pitching and hitting as he has the second highest batting average on the team and has impressive pitching statistics. Lehman reflects on his time as a pitcher and hitter; “Being a two-way has definitely been difficult and time consuming. In the beginning, it was challenging for both myself and my coaches to balance the workload. The biggest thing is just listening to my body and not trying to do too much. I have full confidence in my work ethic and preparation, so there is no pressure when I go to step onto the field. I just put all my faith into our Lord and understand that He will direct our team to where we are supposed to be.”

Lehman is the type of player that puts others before himself and loves to see the success of his teammates. He puts his trust in God, and knows that everything will work out exactly how it is supposed to. “I never really had any individual goals with my time here at Mount. Obviously I want to perform well and hopefully receive All-OAC recognition, but that’s not really my goal at all. I pray daily for the Lord to give me the strength to be the best version of myself, on and off the field. My goal is to be the best teammate and leader that I possibly could be. I have been playing this sport for over 20 years, and I just want to be at peace with myself after this season ends. When I go to hang my cleats up for good, I just want to look in the mirror and be able to tell myself that I gave everything I had to this sport. God already has a plan for me, and my only job is to serve Him every time I step onto the field,” voiced Lehman. Lehman’s mentality is admirable and respectable as the success he has on the field will without a doubt transition to his success wherever life may take him.

Beyond baseball, the bonds and relationships Lehman has made will be something he holds close with him long after his time on the field ends. “There were a lot of great upperclassmen that helped me out when I first got here 5 years ago. For example, Joey Nave and Coleman Stauffer were two seniors that sort of took me under their wing. They not only helped me adjust to the speed of college baseball, but they helped me understand who I wanted to be as a player, a teammate, and as a person. Joey and Coleman always carried themselves to a high standard, and when I became an upperclassman, I tried to mimic that in my own way. I am just one of thousands of players Coach Hesse has impacted during his time here. He’s dedicated his life to Mount Union baseball, and that’s a big reason for our success. Coach would give the shirt off his back for any one of us, which I think directly reflects the culture he has built,” said Lehman as he is reminded of those that have helped him along the way during his time at Mount Union.

Lehman has dedicated many years of his life to baseball, but knows that there is more to life than the sport. As an athlete it can be hard to find purpose outside of your sport, but with the help of God Lehman knows his purpose goes far beyond baseball; “For a long time, I thought my only God-given purpose on this earth was to play baseball. It took me a long time to understand that baseball is only just a game. While it has been a huge part of my life, it is not my entire life. In a few months, my career will be over and life will continue moving forward. Looking back, I might remember certain moments of my career, but baseball has never been about the statistics, wins and losses, and even the championships. It has always been about making memories, soaking every moment in, and building a positive culture with my teammates,” stated Lehman as he reflects on the lessons he has learned at Mount Union. Lehman also noted that “baseball is hard and it is the only sport in the world where you fail more times than you succeed,” which correlates to life as well as no matter how many times you get knocked down you can always get back up and try again. 

As Lehman nears the end of his collegiate baseball career it is hard to not look back and smile on the memories made as a Purple Raider. Lehman is not only a great teammate and baseball player, but he is all around a good person. He wants the best for those around him and is a shoulder for his friends and teammates to lean on. “Mount Union has given me everything. During my recruiting process, I always trusted that God would put me in a position to succeed on and off the field, and the second I stepped onto campus I knew this was where He wanted me to be. While I learned many things on the field, I grew more as an individual off the field. Being a Raider baseball player taught me how to be a part of something bigger than myself. The biggest thing to me is the brotherhood that grows and becomes stronger with each day. Stepping onto the field everyday surrounded by my brothers is a blessing that nothing else compares to. Everything we do is for each other,” voiced Lehman on being a Raider baseball player. It is certain that Lehman will be missed on the field, but his legacy as a Purple Raider will leave a lasting impact on the younger guys as well as future Raiders. Lehman is bound for success and his mindset will help positively guide him through the game of life. 

Come out and support Lehman as well as the rest of the Purple Raider baseball team at their next home game Sunday, April 6th at 4p.m at Rafeld-Rogers field where they will take on Washington and Jefferson. 

Jaired Lehman Brings Dedication and Focus to Raider Baseball

Picture of Chloe Bird

Chloe Bird

  • Big Time Sports Ohio

The 2025 University of Mount Union baseball team is off to a hot start to the season. The team is full of talented individuals with a standout player being graduate student Jaired Lehman.

Lehman received his undergraduate degree from Mount Union where he played baseball all four years. The team has a current overall record of 11-6, and have played four OAC games so far taking on Marietta and Heidelberg defeating both teams twice.

Playing tough competition is just another day in the life of this Purple Raider team as they focus on how to improve themselves and not look too far ahead; “Sweeping a solid team like Marietta at their place is a great way to start OAC play. I think the biggest thing for our team is to not get too high or too low. We did the same thing last year, yet Marietta made the playoffs and we did not. We have a very talented team that knows we are capable of being one of the best teams in the country. We have one of the hardest schedules in all of Division III, but we know we can handle it. We are just gonna take it one day at a time and continue to worry about ourselves before anyone else,” said Lehman.

The team is taking the season game by game, but the team absolutely has the talent to take them to an OAC Championship and to make a run in the NCAA tournament. “Our team goals for this year is to make the playoffs and win the OAC championship. The past two seasons for us have been quite interesting. Last year we had a record of 27-13, good enough for the second best record in school history, yet we missed the playoffs by one game. It is hard to reflect on last year and not feel like a failure, but we have a lot of great pieces to build off of this year. All I pray is that this team gets to play together as long as we possibly can,” stated Lehman.

Lehman is a dual threat on the field as he pitches and hits. This is a fairly uncommon feat for college baseball players and shows Lehmans’ dedication to the game. Lehman has success in both pitching and hitting as he has the second highest batting average on the team and has impressive pitching statistics. Lehman reflects on his time as a pitcher and hitter; “Being a two-way has definitely been difficult and time consuming. In the beginning, it was challenging for both myself and my coaches to balance the workload. The biggest thing is just listening to my body and not trying to do too much. I have full confidence in my work ethic and preparation, so there is no pressure when I go to step onto the field. I just put all my faith into our Lord and understand that He will direct our team to where we are supposed to be.”

Lehman is the type of player that puts others before himself and loves to see the success of his teammates. He puts his trust in God, and knows that everything will work out exactly how it is supposed to. “I never really had any individual goals with my time here at Mount. Obviously I want to perform well and hopefully receive All-OAC recognition, but that’s not really my goal at all. I pray daily for the Lord to give me the strength to be the best version of myself, on and off the field. My goal is to be the best teammate and leader that I possibly could be. I have been playing this sport for over 20 years, and I just want to be at peace with myself after this season ends. When I go to hang my cleats up for good, I just want to look in the mirror and be able to tell myself that I gave everything I had to this sport. God already has a plan for me, and my only job is to serve Him every time I step onto the field,” voiced Lehman. Lehman’s mentality is admirable and respectable as the success he has on the field will without a doubt transition to his success wherever life may take him.

Beyond baseball, the bonds and relationships Lehman has made will be something he holds close with him long after his time on the field ends. “There were a lot of great upperclassmen that helped me out when I first got here 5 years ago. For example, Joey Nave and Coleman Stauffer were two seniors that sort of took me under their wing. They not only helped me adjust to the speed of college baseball, but they helped me understand who I wanted to be as a player, a teammate, and as a person. Joey and Coleman always carried themselves to a high standard, and when I became an upperclassman, I tried to mimic that in my own way. I am just one of thousands of players Coach Hesse has impacted during his time here. He’s dedicated his life to Mount Union baseball, and that’s a big reason for our success. Coach would give the shirt off his back for any one of us, which I think directly reflects the culture he has built,” said Lehman as he is reminded of those that have helped him along the way during his time at Mount Union.

Lehman has dedicated many years of his life to baseball, but knows that there is more to life than the sport. As an athlete it can be hard to find purpose outside of your sport, but with the help of God Lehman knows his purpose goes far beyond baseball; “For a long time, I thought my only God-given purpose on this earth was to play baseball. It took me a long time to understand that baseball is only just a game. While it has been a huge part of my life, it is not my entire life. In a few months, my career will be over and life will continue moving forward. Looking back, I might remember certain moments of my career, but baseball has never been about the statistics, wins and losses, and even the championships. It has always been about making memories, soaking every moment in, and building a positive culture with my teammates,” stated Lehman as he reflects on the lessons he has learned at Mount Union. Lehman also noted that “baseball is hard and it is the only sport in the world where you fail more times than you succeed,” which correlates to life as well as no matter how many times you get knocked down you can always get back up and try again. 

As Lehman nears the end of his collegiate baseball career it is hard to not look back and smile on the memories made as a Purple Raider. Lehman is not only a great teammate and baseball player, but he is all around a good person. He wants the best for those around him and is a shoulder for his friends and teammates to lean on. “Mount Union has given me everything. During my recruiting process, I always trusted that God would put me in a position to succeed on and off the field, and the second I stepped onto campus I knew this was where He wanted me to be. While I learned many things on the field, I grew more as an individual off the field. Being a Raider baseball player taught me how to be a part of something bigger than myself. The biggest thing to me is the brotherhood that grows and becomes stronger with each day. Stepping onto the field everyday surrounded by my brothers is a blessing that nothing else compares to. Everything we do is for each other,” voiced Lehman on being a Raider baseball player. It is certain that Lehman will be missed on the field, but his legacy as a Purple Raider will leave a lasting impact on the younger guys as well as future Raiders. Lehman is bound for success and his mindset will help positively guide him through the game of life. 

Come out and support Lehman as well as the rest of the Purple Raider baseball team at their next home game Sunday, April 6th at 4p.m at Rafeld-Rogers field where they will take on Washington and Jefferson.