After splitting with the Muhlenberg Mules the previous day, the Blue Jays returned to Stromberg Stadium to dominate the McDaniel College Green Terror 18-7.
“Our pitching has been strong all season, but now entering Conference play, our offense is really starting to come alive,” freshman catcher Mike Ainsworth said. “These past couple of weeks, the upperclassmen have really been showing off some consistent power.”
After scoring 13 runs in the fifth and sixth innings, the majority of the Jays’ roster had the opportunity to see some time on the field.
Hopkins first put itself on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning after senior catcher Ryan Orgielewicz hit a leadoff double, junior catcher Alex Darwiche singled to right field, freshman infielder Dillon Bowman walked and senior outfielder Jon Hayden reached first on a fielder’s choice. With the bases loaded, Orgielewicz was able to race home after Hayden’s hit.
The Blue Jays quickly racked up three more runs in the bottom of the third inning, with crucial at-bats from senior shortstop Conor Reynolds and junior third baseman Mike Smith. Orgielewicz hit a homerun to cap off the scoring streak. The Jays led 4-0.
Tallying one run in the fourth and three in the fifth, the Green Terror drew even at 4-4 in the top of the fifth inning.
Hopkins did not let the Green Terror’s scoring run discourage them. Leading off in the bottom of the fifth inning, Reynolds hit a homerun.
Next, senior outfielder Brian Lin hit a single, Smith worked a walk and Orgielewicz hit the team’s second ground-rule double to send Lin home. Freshman infielder Mike Eberle reached on a fielder’s choice to send Smith home.
Bowman was then hit for the second time, and the bases were loaded. Hayden came up to the plate next and drove the ball down the right field line for a double. He sent Orgielewicz and Eberle home, with Bowman nearly reaching home safe but being caught to end the inning.
In the sixth inning, the Blue Jays recorded a nine-run scoring streak. After Reynolds worked a walk, Lin hit a double to drive Reynolds home. Darwiche also hit a double to send Lin home. Another pair of doubles brought the score to 13-4.
Fighting a lingering elbow injury, senior outfielder Tommy Mee hit a single to send another Blue Jay home. Reynolds came back to the plate to hit his second homerun of the game, giving Hopkins a 17-4 lead.
“The big plays today had to come from Conor [Reynolds] and Ryan [Orgielewicz] at the plate. They combined for three home runs, which quickly changed the pace of the game,” freshman Mike Ainsworth said.
The Blue Jays did not stop there. They scored one more run in the eighth inning. With a dominating lead, the Jays’ coaching staff made some lineup changes, with many freshman making appearances. Ainsworth hit a double in his first collegiate at-bat, and junior outfielder Colby Wilson sent him home on a single.
“I am currently learning a new position, so I did not expect too many opportunities this year. I was really glad the coaches gave me a chance today. I saw a pitch I liked and I was able to get my barrel on it,” Ainsworth said.
The Green Terror scored three runs in the final inning but were not able to close the gap. Hopkins ultimately won 18-7.
“Now that we are in Conference play, every game is important,” Ainsworth said. “Our current goal is to have the best record in the Conference and to host the Centennial Conference tournament, so the win today was another step in the right direction.”
Defensively, sophomore starting pitcher Preston Betz struck out a career-high five batters in seven innings. He also earned his third win of the season. Freshman pitcher Devin Lucas pitched in the eighth inning for his first appearance on the mound at Stromberg Stadium. He struck out one hitter and gave up one hit. Senior pitcher Austin Sutor came in the final inning and finished the game with a strikeout.
“We have a very positive outlook for the rest of the season,” Ainsworth said. “We believe we have one of the deeper and more talented pitching staffs in the country. If our offense is clicking as well, I think we can beat anyone.”
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