A packed crowd at the Baltimore venue witnessed a back‑and‑forth battle that swung on every pitch, as the Blue Jays edged Claremont‑Mudd‑Scripps 16‑15 in a game that featured 31 runs, 30 hits and five errors, all under chilly, rainy conditions.
The Final Inning Drama
The contest seemed settled when Bryce Didrickson launched a solo homer in the top of the tenth, pushing the visitors to a 15‑14 lead. A wild pitch by Tegin Maloney allowed Shane Keough to cross the plate, tying the game, and shortly thereafter a throwing miscue by the opposition let Damian Brown sprint home with the winning run.
Relief pitcher William Hancock stepped onto the mound in the tenth and delivered a flawless frame, preserving the tie and setting the stage for the decisive score. His effort was supported by Alex Shane, Clay Hartje and Blaise Hehrer, who combined for three scoreless innings of relief.
The Blue Jays' offense was a collective effort, with Harris, Jaun, Geer and Brown each adding two hits to fuel a 15‑hit attack. Shane Keough paced the team at the plate, finishing 4‑for‑5 with three runs scored and two RBIs, while Max Pemberton, Charlie Kalil, Lukas Geer and Josh Jacobs contributed timely singles that kept the rally alive.
The win marks the second consecutive year the Blue Jays have positioned themselves within a victory of the Division III World Series, a feat that underscores the program’s rising stature. Veterans such as Jeff Shue, Rider Gordon and William Jaun helped steady the squad, while the crowd’s energy reflected the growing excitement across campus.
Looking ahead, the Blue Jays will meet their next opponent with the same gritty resolve that defined this thriller. The atmosphere in Baltimore remains electric, and the team’s depth — embodied by players like Alex Henderson, Blaise Hehrer and others — suggests they are well‑equipped for the challenges to come.