Trenton, NJ (5-20-10) – Johns Hopkins University knocked out a dozen hits, while taking advantage of three Keystone errors during a pivotal two inning stretch, as the nation's number one team downed Keystone 9-4 in a winner's bracket contest at the 2010 NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Regional.
With the victory Johns Hopkins moves to 40-4 on the year, while Keystone falls to 30-8. The Giants will play Widener University at 10am on Friday in an elimination game. Should the Giants win their first game on Friday, the team would return to action at 7:45pm that evening in another elimination contest.
The Blue Jays scored seven runs between the sixth and seventh innings in what was a battle of two nationally ranked teams, turning a two run deficit into a five run advantage.
Sean Murphy absorbed the loss for the Giants, tossing a complete game. Murphy allowed four earned runs on 12 hits, but fell victim to the three errors. He also struck out six.
Yazy Arbello and Andy Vega each picked up a pair of hits, with Arbello knocking out a home run and a double and Vega a home run and a single.. The duo also drove in all four Keystone runs, driving in a pair apiece.
Sam Eagleson picked up the victory for Hopkins to move to 11-0 on the year. Eagleson allowed four earned runs on six hits, while striking out four.
After three scoreless innings to start the game, Hopkins got on the board first with a run in the top of the fourth. For two teams that combined to hit nearly 150 home runs on the year, it was only fitting that the long ball gave the Blue Jays the lead when Brian Youchak homered to right.
Keystone responded right back in the bottom half of the fourth as Arbello went opposite field with his second home in as many days to knot things up at one. After Angel Fargas drew a one out walk, Vega connected on a laser to left for his first home run of the year giving the Giants a 3-1 lead after four.
The Blue Jays inched closer in the fifth by pushing across a run when Stephen Bejsiuk reached via a one out single and came around to score on a fielder's choice by James Teta to draw within 3-2.
The hot bat of Arbello helped the Giants get back the run that Hopkins scored in the top half of the fifth. After Eric Groff drew a two-out base on balls, Arbello smoked a double to deep right-center, scoring Groff from first to give Keystone a two-run advantage once again at 4-2.
The sixth proved to be the big inning for the Blue Jays, as they regained the lead at 5-4. Youchak led off the Hopkins sixth with a walk and after a fly out, was joined on base by Jesse Sikorski who also drew a free pass.
A throwing error on Murphy allowed Hopkins to load the bases with one out. Murphy induced a fly ball to the next hitter, recording the second out and more importantly keeping Hopkins from scoring. However, the Blue Jays finally got to him when Lee Bolyard singled to left to plate Youchak and Sikorski with the tying runs. Teta followed with a single to right to score John Swarr with the go-ahead run.
The flood gates opened in the seventh as Hopkins scored four times to take a 9-4 lead. The Blue Jays strung together three hits around two big Keystone errors. The inning was highlighted by back-to-back RBI doubles by Sikorski and Swarr to help break the game open.
Murphy set the side down in order in the eight and ninth innings.
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