The Basics
• Score: Johns Hopkins- 1, Marietta College - 2
• Records: JHU (2-3) • MC (1-0)
• Pitching Decision: W – Sam Mathews (1-0) • L – Brian Linton (0-1)
• The Short Story: Friday's Baltimore Invitational opener was a pitcher's duel, as a solo home run in the top of the seventh was enough to earn a 2-1 victory for Marietta in the first game of their season. 

How it Happened
    Locked in a 1-1 tie after an error allowed Chris Festa to score in the bottom of the sixth, Seamus Kenneally stepped up to the plate in the top of the seventh and promptly deposited a fastball from Brian Linton over the left-field wall. The center fielder's homer was the second of his Pioneer career and proved to be the difference in Friday's pitcher's duel. 
    Marietta jumped on JHU freshman starter Kieren Collins early on, as Damian Yenzi roped a double over the head of Festa to lead off the game. Collins struck out Alex Page before allowing back-to-back singles to Josh Kieffer and Drew Holderbach with Yenzi coming in to score on Holderbach's single up the middle. Collins retired the next two batters and entered cruise control on the mound, trailing 1-0. 
    After allowing three hits in the first frame, Collins allowed just two more hits over the next four innings, finishing the day with five innings pitched, allowing just one run and striking out four. The Pioneers didn't get another base runner into scoring position until the fifth inning, but Collins summoned a fly-out to right off the bat of Kieffer to retire the side. 
    The Blue Jays struggled to generate any offense against Marietta starter Justin Aviles, as the sophomore right-hander went 5.2 innings, allowing just two hits and an unearned run while striking out seven. 
    In the bottom of the fifth inning, James Ingram led off with a walk, followed by a single to center by AJ King. Aviles struck out Adam Kohl and Jack Pausic before inducing a Matthew Ritchie fly-out to keep the lead at 1-0. 
    In the sixth, Festa drew a one-out walk, stealing second moments later. With Festa on second and two outs, Dillon Bowman grounded one to short. Marietta shortstop Matthew Busby scooped it up, but the throw pulled Holderbach off the bag. On a heads up play, Festa continued running, sliding in safely ahead of the throw home to tie the contest. 
    With Sam Mathews pitching in the seventh inning, King led off with a walk. The pinch-hitter, Nick Li, laid down a bunt which was fielded by Mathews, but a throwing error allowed King to move up safely. With runners on first and second and nobody out, MIke Ainsworth was called on to pinch hit. Ainsworth's sac bunt attempt was unsuccessful as King was retired on his way to third. Li reached third on a fielder's choice, but Eberle bounced out to first to end the threat. 
    Mathews retired the final seven batters of the game to preserve the victory for Marietta, their first of the season. 
    
Inside the Box Score
• Despite being handed the loss, Linton tossed four innings in relief, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out three.
• Marietta pitching held the top-three Blue Jay hitters coming into the game, (Festa, Sacks & Eberle) to an 0-9 day with two walks, a hit by pitch and a run scored. 

Up Next
• The Blue Jays take on SUNY Cortland in the third game of tomorrow's tripleheader at the Baltimore Invitational. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. or 25 minutes following the second game.