May 14, 2008

Box Score

DANVILLE, VA - Christopher Newport, the fifth seed, plated three runs in the top of the tenth to upset the Johns Hopkins baseball team, the two seed, 8-5 on day one of the NCAA South Regional Tournament. The Blue Jays (34-6) saw a five-game win streak snapped and will now face Randolph-Macon in an elimination game on Thursday morning.

The two teams entered the top of the tenth with the score knotted at 5-5. Chris Despins led off the inning with single through the left side and moved to second as Hopkins got the first out of the inning on a sacrifice bunt. Eric Cole then singled home Despins with the go ahead run. The Captains would add two more runs in the inning, one on an RBI triple from Travis Medina and the other on a wild pitch.

Hopkins would get a runner on in the bottom of the tenth but the Blue Jays were unable to get anything else going.

The Blue Jays had started the game on a positive note with three runs in the bottom of the first. Senior third baseman Todd Emr (Westwood, NJ/Saddle River Day) roped a double to left center that plated two runs in the inning. Senior shortstop Jonas Fester (Dallas, TX/Syosset (NY)) making his first appearance in the Blue Jay line-up in over a month due to an injury, also had an RBI single.

Hopkins would add to its lead with two more runs in the bottom of the second. Senior second baseman Nate Adelman (Redwood City, CA/Menlo School) reached on a single and moved to second on a single from senior DH Jon Solomon (Fairfax, VA/Riverdale Baptist). Adelman would then steal third and scored as the throw from the catcher went into left field. Solomon would come home as sophomore right fielder Brian Youchak (Pittsburgh, PA/Vincentian Academy) crushed a double to center field.

Blue Jay starter Joe Zaccaria (Manhasset, NY/Manhasset) held Christopher Newport to just one run and two hits through the first six innings of play. Zaccaria had eight strikeouts through the first six innings.

Christopher Newport finally got things going against the senior right-hander in the seventh. With the bases loaded Alex Owen had an RBI single to center field. The Captains got their second run on a fielder choice. Despins would then tie the game with a double to right center to score two.

Christopher Newport would get a runner on in the eighth and Hopkins would get one on in the ninth but neither team was able to get them home and the game went to extras.

Zaccaria went the first seven innings for the Blue Jays surrendered the five runs on six hits while striking out nine. Senior Pat Steffee (Wentzville, MO/Marquette) took the loss as 2.1 innings and surrendered three runs, one of which was earned. Sophomore Matt Wiegand (San Diego, CA/La Jolla) got the final two outs in the tenth for the Blue Jays.

Kenny Moreland picked up his 13th victory of the season after going the first nine innings for Christopher Newport. He surrendered five runs on nine hits with five strikeouts. Kevin Moreland picked up the save after shutting the Blue Jays down in the tenth.

Emr and Youchak were the only Blue Jays with multiple hits on the day. Emr finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs and one run scored. He also extended his hit streak to 19 games. Youchak was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. He extended his hit streak to 22 games. Fester went 1-for-4 with an RBI as he extended his hit streak to 29 games dating back to last season.

Hopkins faces Randolph-Macon in an elimination game on Thursday morning at 11 a.m. when the NCAA South Regional continues play.

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