April 28, 2007

Box Score

HAVERFORD, PA - The #16 Johns Hopkins baseball team split a doubleheader with Haverford on Saturday afternoon in the Centennial Conference regular season finale for both teams. The Blue Jays (29-7, 15-3 CC) earned the second seed in the upcoming Centennial Conference playoffs after winning the opener 7-3 and falling in the second game 2-1 in 12 innings.

In the first game, it was Hopkins jumping out to the early lead in the first inning. With two outs and the bases loaded junior DH Tony Margve was hit by a pitch to force in senior catcher Rob Sanzillo. The Blue Jays added to their lead in the third as Sanzillo led off with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a fly out from senior right fielder Brett Izzo. Sanzillo would then cross the plate on a Margve fielder's choice.

Hopkins would extend its lead in game one to 4-0 in the fourth on an RBI double from junior left fielder Jon Solomon and an RBI single from Sanzillo. Haverford scored its first two runs in the bottom of the fourth on a double steal and an RBI double.

The Blue Jays added two runs in the sixth to make it a 6-2 game before Haverford got a home run from Dean Laganosky to left field. The Blue Jays then countered with a home run from junior first baseman Matt Benchener in the top of the seventh to make it a 7-3 final.

Junior Joe Zaccaria tossed a complete game to improve to 6-2 on the year for the Blue Jays. Zaccaria allowed three hits and struck out eight. Travis Zier took the loss for Haverford after going the distance and allowing seven runs.

In the second game it was Haverford jumping on the scoreboard early. Laganosky connected on a pitch from junior Ryan Kuhlman and drove it over the left field fence for his second home run of the day. The score remained that way until the top of the fifth when the Blue Jays were able to get on the board. Solomon knocked a one-out double and advanced to third on a passed ball. He then came home to tie the game on a single from Sanzillo.

The pitchers and solid defense then dictated play for the next several innings. Haverford looked to have a chance in the eighth as the Fords loaded the bases with one out. Kuhlman was then able to coax a double play ball to get out of the inning. The Blue Jays got two runners on the in 10th inning but were unable to get the runners across the plate.

Kuhlman went 11 innings for the Blue Jays before being replaced by senior Brian DeLeo to start the 12th. DeLeo got the first out of the inning before the Fords got a double and infield single to put runners on second and third. Jake Kaden then drove in the runner at third to give the hosts the win.

Kuhlman was electrifying in his outing for the Blue Jays, going 11 innings and surrendering just the one run while striking out 11. DeLeo suffered his first loss of the season after surrendering the run in the 12th inning. John Castronova picked up the win for the Fords after going seven innings of solid relief.

Solomon was 5-for-8 with two runs scored and three RBIs while Sanzillo was 5-for-10 with two runs and two RBIs.

Hopkins returns to action on Tuesday, May 1st at Salisbury at 3:30 p.m.

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