HAMILTON – When the Ohio Machine of Major League Lacrosse drafted Colgate's Peter Baum No. 1 overall back in 2013, this is exactly what they had in mind:
Baum scored twice and dished out three assists in Ohio's 17-12 title victory over the Denver Outlaws Saturday in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas. The win for the Machine completed pay back for their 2016 one-goal championship game loss to the same Outlaws.
"This time around, we just leaned on the experiences we've had as a group over the last several seasons," Baum said by phone. "Going back beyond the Denver loss last season, we have a lot of continuity within this group, and we've been in so many tight games over the years.
"We were able to take a deep breath, realize that we weren't playing up to our potential, then put the pedal to the floor as we closed out the second half."
Baum scored his two goals late in the third quarter to keep the Machine close. Ohio trailed 12-10 just inside the 10-minute mark of the fourth quarter before scoring the game's final seven goals to win going away.
"The feeling is even better than I hoped it would be," Baum said. "I don't know how much the casual or occasional MLL fan knows about just how much that we put into this, but when that clock ticks down and you see tears in guys' eyes, it really shows you how special it is and how much it means to us.
"We sacrifice a lot to play in the MLL, and being the last team standing is what it's all about."
Career Points High
Baum finished the 2017 regular season tied for the league lead in scoring with 52 points. He posted 31 goals (including a pair of 2-point goals) and 19 assists. It was a career-high point total for the fourth-year pro and his third season with at least 30 goals.
"I just try to push the envelope every season to be a healthier, fitter and more mentally tough version of myself," Baum said. "My lacrosse IQ has grown so much since I've been in the MLL, from being around guys like Kyle Harrison, Tom Schreiber, Brian Karalunas, Marcus Holman, etc.
"The MLL absolutely is the best of the best, and that type of challenge every time you put the pads helps you raise the level of your game."
Baum completed his Colgate career as the most decorated student-athlete in Colgate Lacrosse history. He won the prestigious 2012 Tewaaraton Award and Lt. Raymond J. Enners Award as the nation's top player, in addition to USILA All-America First Team and LaxPower All-America Team honors.
The Portland, Oregon, native was a four-time All-Patriot League First Team selection and finished as the Patriot League's career leader in goals scored with 164. He was the nation's active goal-scoring leader at the time of his graduation and left Colgate as the all-time leader in both goals and career points (225).
