Box Score

FORT MYERS, FL -

Game Information

Score: Johns Hopkins 3, Plymouth State 4

Records: JHU (12-4), PSU (4-4)

Location: Fort Myers, FL • Terry Park

First Pitch: 11:58 a.m.

Weather: 80 degrees, cloudy

Attendance: 100

Pitchers of Record: W - Doyle (2-0), L - Josh Hejka (1-1)

The Short Story

• The Blue Jays and Panthers participated in a pitching battle, with Plymouth State coming out on top, 4-3. JHU starter Alex Ross struck out 13 and gave up eight hits in 7.1 innings pitched.
• The junior faced a challenge to begin the day, hitting a Panther with a pitch, a single and one of two walks on the day loaded the bases with one out. Ross struck out a pair swinging to escape the inning without giving up a run. David Sampson also began the game strong to Plymouth State, facing the minimum number of Blue Jay batters through three innings before walking Conor Reynolds to begin the fourth inning. Reynolds crossed home after advancing to second on a ground out by Brian Lin and taking advantage of an error by the first baseman.
• The Panthers quickly tied the score, as Frederick hit a single to get on base. After Ross struck out two swinging - his seventh and eighth strikeouts of the game - Ruziak doubled to right field for the RBI. Ross struck out the next Panther batter to conclude the inning with the tied 1-1 score.
• Plymouth State took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Leadoff man Richard tripled to left center and made his way home on an RBI ground out by Garnett. The PSU lead did not last long as Hopkins added two runs in the top of the sixth for a 3-2 lead. Reynolds beat the throw for a single to begin the inning. Gates Ely came in to pinch run for Reynolds and was caught stealing at second. Lin added another single and successfully stole second before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Sampson walked Mike Smith to put Blue Jays on the corner when Ryan Orgielewicz stepped up to the plate. Orgielewicz singled up the middle to drive in Lin and Smith for the lead.
• Hopkins carried the lead into the bottom of the eighth before Ross got into trouble once again. A trio of panthers reached base on a single, a fielder's choice and a walk, when Josh Hejka was called from the bullpen. Hejka gave up an RBI single to Ruziak, with the run charged to Ross, before DeCina gounded into a 323 double play to end the inning with the teams tied, 3-3.
• The Blue Jays came up short in the top of the ninth inning. Facing reliever Taylor Doyle, JHU went three up, three down. In the bottom of the ninth, facing the top of the lineup for Plymouth State, Richard singled up the middle to get on base. Goulet laid down a bunt to advance Richard to second. Hopkins then intentionally walked Garnett to set up a potential double play scenario. Richard advanced to third on a passed ball, and the Blue Jays intentionally walked pinch hitter Boldwin to load the bases. Frederick worked his way into a full count against Hejka, earning the walk for the RBI and 4-3 PSU win.

Game Leaders
Johns Hopkins:
Hits: Orgielewicz (2)
Runs: Three with (1)
RBI: Orgielewicz (2)
Strikeouts: Ross (13)

Plymouth State:
Hits: Three with (2)
Runs: Richard (2)
RBI: Ruziak (2)
Strikeouts: Sampson (8)

Inside the Box Score
• Alex Ross struck out 13 in the game, tied for the sixth most by a Blue Jay. Ross tops his previous record, also set in Florida, by one K, reaching double-digits in consecutive games.
• The pitchers posted strong performances for both teams. Plymouth State starter racked up eight strikeouts, allowing only six hits.

What it Means
• Hopkins falls to 1-1 in the all-time series against Plymouth State. The previous game took place a season ago in Fort Myers, with JHU coming out on top, 10-1.
• The Blue Jays sit at 12-4 on the season, including a 7-2 record in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic, tying their record in Florida from 2016.

Up Next
• The 16^th-ranked Blue Jays will take on 13^th-ranked Wooster March 24 at 10 a.m. at the Player Development Complex in Fort Myers, FL.
• Johns Hopkins will close out its spring trip to Florida with a 9 a.m. contest against Plymouth State March 25.

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