SHOREMEN IN THREE-WAY TIE FOR THIRD-PLACE IN CENTENNIAL STANDINGS WITH TWO GAMES LEFT SATURDAY

Baltimore, Md. – The Washington College baseball team came from behind twice to win a crucial game over the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays, 4-3, in their quest to earn a berth in next week's Centennial Conference Tournament. The Shoremen improve to 23-14 (9-7 C.C.) while the Blue Jays fall to 18-17 (8-8 C.C.). Washington College, who swept the hosts in a series for the first time in program history, is now in a three-way tie with Haverford and Dickinson for third-place in the standings with two game remaining. Four teams qualify for the post-season event.

How It Happened
-Senior left-hander Mike Smith replaced starter Michael Roseman in the bottom of the second inning and surrendered a lead-off homer to right-center field by designated hitter Sam Frank.
-The Shoremen had a golden opportunity in the top of the sixth inning against starter Matt Savedoff. Senior left fielder Max Ruvo was hit by a pitch with one out and sophomore first baseman Danny Sheeler followed with a double in the gap to move Ruvo to third. However, freshman designated hitter Noah Iseman struck out swinging and senior third baseman Joe Curtin grounded out to third to end the threat.
- Washington College went ahead in the top of the seventh with a pair of runs. Senior second baseman Jack Kingman registered a one-out single through the right-side. Pinch-runner Ben Ruvo stole second and senior shortstop CJ Gillmer followed with a line drive single to center to put runners on the corners. Freshman catcher Mike Bukowski then tied the game with a well-executed RBI suicide squeeze to second base to bring home Ruvo. Chris Baker then ripped an RBI double to left-center to plate Gillmer. Baker was thrown out at third as he attempted to record a triple.
-Frank opened the bottom of the frame with a lead-off double down the third base line. Shortstop Dylan Whitney then put down a sacrifice bunt to move Frank over to third. Center fielder James Ingram followed with a weak grounder to third and Curtin gunned down Frank at home. However, left fielder Matthew Cooper followed with a two-run homer to right field off Smith to give the Blue Jays a 3-2 edge.
- The Shoremen came right back as Sheeler hit a one-out ground rule double to right center and Iseman followed with an RBI double down the right field line to even the game. Curtin grounded out to short but was able to move Iseman over to third. Senior second baseman Brandon Hoffman was unable to untie the contest as he lined out to shortstop to end the frame.
-Senior reliever Alex Bendzlowicz took over for Smith in the bottom of the eighth and retired the side in order.
-In the top of the ninth, Gillmer doubled over the third base bag with one out and Bukowski advanced Gillmer over to third with a groundout. Baker then brought in Gillmer, as he was able to beat the throw at first base after rolling over a soft grounder to second base. An error was charged to on the play to second baseman Jack Pausic.
- Bendzlowicz picked up the win in the ninth as he retired three of four batter to close the door on the Blue Jays.

For the Shoremen
Batting
- Gillmer went 3-for-4 (double) and scored two runs.
- Baker finished 2-for-5 (double) with an RBI.
- Sheeler was 2-for-3 (double) with an RBI and a walk.
- Iseman had an RBI double
Pitching
- Bendzlowicz (3-1) was terrific as he retired six of the seven batters faced in the eighth and ninth innings. 
- Smith settled down after allowing a homer and pitched 6.0 solid innings in a no-decision. He allowed five hits, walked none and fanned four.

For the Blue Jays
Hitting
-Cooper was 3-for-4 (2-run HR)
-Frank went 2-for-4 (HR)
Pitching
-Savedoff went the distance but fell to 4-2 on the season after allowing three earned runs on 10 hits. He fanned six and yielded just one walk.

Notes
-It's the first time the Shoremen have ever swept Hopkins in a season series.  The teams have played twice (or more) annually since 1976.
-It's the second time the team has won twice in a season over Hopkins.  The Shoremen won 2 of 3 in 1984 with the second win in 1984 being a playoff game.
-Gillmer recorded his second three-hit game of the season (vs. Gettysburg, 4/23)
-Today's game took under two hours to complete.

 Up Next
-The Shoremen will host Dickinson for two critical games on Saturday at Athey Park. 19 seniors will be honored on Senior Day in-between games.