BALTIMORE, MD – The top-ranked Johns Hopkins baseball team hit six home runs and used an eight-run second inning to grab control of Friday's NCAA Tournament-opener against Farmingdale State and the Blue Jays cruised into Saturday's winner's bracket game with a 19-7 victory over the Rams at Babb Field. 
 
The win bumps Hopkins' record to 40-3 on the year, including 23-0 at home, and the Blue Jays will play the winner of the Rutgers-Camden-RPI game at 2:30 pm on Saturday.  The Rams slip to 26-15 and will play the loser of the Rutgers-Camden game at 11 am.
 
A two-run Shawn Steuerer home run fueled a three-run bottom of the first for the Blue Jays, who had spotted the Rams an early 1-0 lead and were up just 3-2 entering the bottom of the second after Ryan Plocker's run-scoring double in the top of the second pulled Farmingdale within one.  That would be as close as the Rams would get.
 
The Blue Jays sent 11 batters to the plate in the bottom of the second and scored all eight of their runs to with two outs to extend the 3-2 lead to 11-2.
 
A two-run Caleb Cyr double was followed immediately by a two-run Dillon Souvignier home run to right center that chased Farmingdale starter Johnny Dougherty.  The Blue Jays then loaded the bases on three straight walks and pushed the 7-2 lead to 11-2 when senior Jake Siani launched the first of what would be two grand slams in the game for the Blue Jays to right field to cap the eight-run inning.
 
The teams traded runs in the third and the Rams grabbed some life in the top of the fifth when senior Matt Flood drilled a three-run home run to left center that drew Farmingdale within 12-6.
 
Johns Hopkins answered with single runs in the fifth and sixth courtesy of solo home runs from Steuerer and Lukas Geer and blew the game open in the seventh with five-spot that was highlighted by a Jimmy Stevens grand slam to push the Blue Jay lead to a game-high 13 (19-6) in what eventually became the 12-run victory.
 
Steuerer paced the Blue Jays' 15-hit attack as he was 4-for-5 with two home runs, five runs scored and three RBIs.  Stevens had a team-high six RBIs on a 3-for-5 effort that also included a pair of runs scored.
 
Quinn Rovner went five innings and picked up the win for the Blue Jays, who got four strong innings from the bullpen to shut down the Rams down the stretch.  Nicolas Jos went three innings and allowed three hits and one unearned run and Camden Curley worked a scoreless ninth to close out the victory.
 
Dougherty took the loss as he was on the hook for seven runs – all earned – and allowed six hits and three walks before giving way after the Souvignier home run with two out in the second inning.

Flood led an 11-hit attack for the Rams with a 3-for-4 showing that included the home run, three RBIs and two runs scored.
 
Notes
• Since 2019, Johns Hopkins is 10-0 in NCAA Regional games played at home.
• In their last 15 games in the NCAA Regional (also dating back to 2019), the Blue Jays have scored 10 or more runs 10 times in 15 games.
• JHU is 14-1 in its last 15 games in NCA Regional play.