Eighty-eight. It's a pretty big number. If that's what it says on top of your Orgo test, you're pretty happy. If it's how many runs you've outscored your opponents by in only 18 games, you're even happier. Welcome to Blue Jay baseball.
With almost half the season in the books, the Jays have continued the trend of the past few years of an explosive offense. They've scored 175 runs, an average of almost 10 per game.
"We've hit the ball well," said head coach Bob Babb, a master of the understatement.
Hopkins set the tone early in the season, putting 20 runs on the board in their first game. So far, the powerful line-up has kept it rolling. The Blue Jays have scored 10 or more runs 10 times and 15 or more four times, helping them to earn national regard. In the last American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Poll, the Jays were No. 19 in Division III.
But they can't count on raking every game. Even the best team can hit a slump, and it looks like the Jays have a small one brewing. After railing McDaniel, 15-1, on Friday and Swarthmore, 10-2, during the day on Saturday, the bats began to cool in the nightcap versus the Garnet Tide. The Jays still overcame the Swarthmore squad by a score of 5-1, but having amassed their lowest run total since a disappointing 3-2 loss to York, the curse on their bats was cast. Too bad they were on their way to the Garden State to face The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) on Monday. TCNJ is ranked 13th in the division.
"We played our worst game of the year on Monday," Babb said. "We went up to New Jersey and were flat."
The numbers agree. With a score of 8-2, the six-run loss was the team's worst deficit of the season. TCNJ's five-run fifth inning was the worst frame the Jays have allowed since giving up six to Webster during the Spring Break trip to Phoenix, Ariz. on March 15. But in the Webster game, Hopkins scored 12 to win, 12-9. The offense against TCNJ was a different story, cobbling together only five hits. In addition to their uncharacteristically quiet offense, the Jays compounded their problems with a tired defensive effort. A costly error from senior second baseman Ian Christie cost the Jays three unearned runs.
"I don't know why, but we've been lackadaisical in the field," Babb said.
The loss to TCNJ was particularly disappointing because Hopkins went to New Jersey looking for revenge. Before Monday's game, the Jays had lost their past two match-ups to the Lions by only one run, the most recent coming in this past spring training. Bad luck kept the Jays off the board in Arizona, and a run in the top of the ninth sealed a 5-4 with for the Lions.
"We should've beat [TCNJ] in Phoenix," Babb said. "We just hit everything right at them."
But in spite of the tough loss, the Jays have looked their best where it counts: against the Centennial Conference. Having swept series against both McDaniel and Swarthmore, they sit atop the conference at 4-0, a half-game in front of Gettysburg and Ursinus. A tough road lies ahead, however.
"I think there are four teams that are good this year, other than us: Haverford, Gettysburg, Ursinus and Franklin & Marshall," Babb said.
The Jays have yet to face any of these teams, and they first have series against Washington College and Muhlenberg before they face the first of their major conference rivals -- Gettysburg -- next Tuesday in Penn.
Luckily by then the Blue Jay offense will have been buoyed by the return of junior left-fielder Jon Solomon. Solomon, hitting about .500 through eight games before succumbing to injury, can contribute immediately as he is expected back in today's game versus Washington.
An improved Hopkins offense would be a frightening thing for the rest of the conference, as the Jays are already on top of the Centennial in just about every relevant offensive category. Senior catcher Rob Sanzillo -- named Centennial Conference Player of the Week each of the past two weeks -- is leading the league in runs with 22 and batted .444 over the last week to contribute to Hopkins' league-best team batting average of .380. Sanzillo's .442 season average, four homers and 1.273 OPS has caught the attention of professional scouts. When asked if he thought Sanzillo could be drafted, thus joining former Jays Paul Winterling and Matt Righter in the professional ranks, Babb didn't hesitate.
"I do," Babb said.
The Jays take the field at home today against Washington at 3:30 p.m.
