Chris Lashmet gulped energy drinks. He hauled books and laptops on buses.

Forget icing bruises or napping.

After returning from three games at Minnesota, Lashmet and some of his Northwestern teammates dashed to the library, mapping a strategy for an exam.

Ask Lashmet about it, and he grins.

By maintaining an exhaustive schedule in college, Lashmet can play professional baseball without external worries. Lashmet earned an economics degree at Northwestern, making him one of the few players in the lower minors with a fouryear degree.

“I’m just living a dream right now,” Lashmet said.

If the dream fades, Lashmet, a 33rd-round draft pick this year, and his State College Spikes teammate Justin Bencsko are positioned well. Bencsko earned a business degree from Villanova. Bencsko graduated before the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the 20th round of last year’s draft.

“I’m glad I did it,” Bencsko said. “I don’t have to worry about it. Some of these guys that have to go back and take these classes, you can see that it’s tough. I’m glad I got it done. I got my degree and that’s something that I’m proud of.”

Lashmet and Bencsko graduated in four years despite mixing Division I baseball with ambitious majors.

“It was hard,” Lashmet said. “The econ classes, you just try to get through them. They took a lot of my time.”

Northwestern operates on a quarter system. Lashmet took four classes per quarter. Life turned hectic in late March when the Wildcats were preparing for the start of Big Ten play while taking finals.

“There are some nights I won’t forget,” he said.

Bencsko can relate. He enrolled at Villanova with nine credit hours because he completed advancement placement classes in high school. Bencsko also took some summer classes at Villanova.

But that didn’t make graduating in four years easy. Baseball and business classes often intersected, especially during the spring.

“It wasn’t easy,” he said. “The business school is ranked eighth in the country and there are some challenges. You do the best you can. You try to manage your time between baseball and academics.”

Lashmet and Bencsko are the fortunate ones.

Catcher/first baseman Matt Skirving signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates after being selected in the 30th round. Skirving had completed three years at Eastern Michigan when he signed.

Skirving, a business management major, spent last summer, fall and winter focusing on baseball. He returned to school earlier this year, taking online classes while in Bradenton, Fla., for extended spring training.

“It was something I thought about for awhile,” he said. “Obviously, I want to work toward my degree as fast as possible. I figured I would have more time on my hands than had I broken with a full-season team. I figured I might as well take advantage of the opportunity.”

Skirving called his academic advisor in early April. He then embarked on a program that crammed a full semester into 71/ 2 weeks.

Skirving endured long days. Catching in the Florida heat taxed his body, forcing him to wakeup at 6 a.m. for treatment. Extended spring training consists of morning drills and afternoon games. Players gathered in the Pirate City cafeteria at 5 p.m. for dinner. Skirving retreated to his room after eating. He often studied until 1 a.m.

“You are so busy during the day that the last thing you want to do in your free time is homework,” he said. “I would say it’s a lot more difficult than college. You were off on your own and you don’t have friends doing homework with you as well. You are doing it all on your own and you have to keep yourself on task.”

Skirving said he received strong support from the organization, who employs Jim Asher to oversee its continuing education department. Major League Baseball established a Professional Scholarship Plan during the early 1960s to help players further their college educations.

The Pirates bring representatives from multiple universities to its spring training and fall instructional league to discuss online learning opportunities with players. The organization also has someone dedicated to providing guidance to players about how to use college scholarship dollars after baseball careers end.

“We’re a big proponent of education as we stress to all of our players that player development is ultimately a path towards mastery and any attempts to grow and learn can be beneficial,” Pirates director of player development Kyle Stark said.

Skirving’s contract requires the Pirates to reimburse him for tuition expenses. Skirving has one year of classes remaining. He said he wants to earn his degree “as soon as possible.”

“It’s one of those things where I promised my mom I would get it done and I’m going to do everything I can to keep that promise,” he said.

Other Spikes are on the brink of earning degrees.

Pitcher Matt Benedict, a 30th-round draft pick, needs to complete an internship to obtain a sports management degree from Western Carolina. Benedict scheduled wisely during college, taking 16 to 18 hours in the fall and reducing his academic load to 12 hours in the spring.

Benedict said he wants to complete the internship, which requires him to log 150-200 hours of work during the fall. When he completes the program, Benedict must present his experiences to a panel.

“The advantages of going to school besides all the things I have gained on the field, I’m also comfortable knowing that if for some reason this doesn’t work out, it takes pressure off,” Benedict said. “I can just compete and not worry about other things.”

Benedict has an interest in law and envisions himself working for a sports firm or agency. Benedict’s one month as a professional has taught him things that should help when his playing career ends.

“It’s definitely a business and being a player gives you some inside knowledge about what goes on,” he said.

Catcher Derek Trent, a 31st-round pick, needs to complete one semester to earn a physical education degree from East Tennessee State. Trent, like Benedict, has witnessed events during the past month that should help once his career ends. Trent wants to eventually coach.

“I know I can’t stay around here forever,” he said. “Once I get (my degree) and get done playing baseball, hopefully I will coach and teach.”

Trent said he wants to finish school this fall. Pitcher Mike Jefferson, a 22nd-round draft pick, has a similar goal, although baseball could alter those plans.

The Pirates conduct a fall instructional league for prospects. The program runs in two groups beginning in mid-September. Even if Jefferson receives an invitation to the individualized program, he said he might pitch and complete his final quarter at the same time.

Jefferson, a sociology major at Louisiana Tech, said college has helped him handle the mental demands of professional baseball. Louisiana Tech often embarked on long road-trips, including some in March, when the school was completing its winter quarter.

For Jefferson, playing professionally is refreshing.

“You don’t have to go to school every day and you can focus on what you do,” he said. “You aren’t thinking, ‘I have a test tomorrow and I have to get home and study for that.’ I can get here and just play. I’m able to put more effort into baseball. I can put everything into it.”

Still, players close to graduating from college are outnumbered on the Spikes’ roster. Twelve of the 30 players on the current roster attended fouryear colleges. Six Spikes signed out of high school. In most cases, future academic costs are negotiated into contracts. Clubs are responsible for scholarship obligations upon releasing a player under the Professional Baseball Scholarship Plan. Minor League Baseball doesn’t compile figures documenting the number of players with or pursuing college degrees.

Owning or approaching a college degree can be therapeutic. The Pirates’ farm system features six domestic and two international farm teams. The current major league roster includes just 25 active players.

“A lot of guys come here from high school and think, ‘If I want to do anything after baseball, I have to go to school for four more years,’” Jefferson said. “I have already been to school for four years. It takes a lot off your mind.”