Box Score March 15, 2013
Box Score
FORT MYERS, FL - Sophomore Craig Hoelzer's two-run single up the middle was the difference Friday afternoon in Fort Myers, FL as the Johns Hopkins baseball team defeated St. Joseph's (Long Island), 3-2, at Pigott Memorial Field.
Hoelzer's single gave the Jays a 3-1 lead, and the Hopkins bullpen held the Golden Eagles scoreless in four and two thirds innings of work to improve the squad's record to 6-1.
St. Joseph's (2-7) took the early lead after stringing together three hits in the top of the second inning, beginning with an Alex Ras chopper to third base that bounced off the bag. Ras advanced to second when Joseph Calabrese was hit by a pitch, and then came home on an RBI single by Anthony Andreani.
The Jays then answered in the third after a pair of walks by Colin McCarthy and Kyle Neverman. After advancing to second and third on a groundout by Jeff Lynch, Hoelzer hit a two-run single straight up the middle. Ryan Zakszeski then brought in Hoelzer with a high pop-up that was lost in the sun by the Golden Eagle left fielder.
St. Joseph's put the Hopkins defense on its heels after loading the bases with zero outs in the fourth following consecutive walks and a single to left field. Freshman pitcher Colin Friedman fought back, however, and struck out a pair of hitters before forcing a fly ball to left field.
The Golden Eagles clawed their way back into the game in the subsequent inning with a walk and single by Mike Alisio and Kenny Willms, respectively. The pair advanced on a double-steal, and Alisio was knocked in by Ras on a single to left field. Justin Drechsel relieved Friedman with two men on, and proceeded to earn consecutive outs to get out of the jam.
Thomas Harper, Ed Bryner and Zach Augustine then shut the door on St. Joseph's with five strikeouts in four innings out of the bullpen.
Zakszeski led the Jays with two hits, while McCarthy reached base on three of four at-bats. Friedman went four and one third innings, allowing two runs.
Hopkins returns to action tomorrow against Edgewood at 10:00 am in Fort Myers, FL.
