The 2026 NCAA Division III Baseball Championship opened with a stark contrast for the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays, who fell 11-4 to Baldwin Wallace in their first matchup.
Veteran left-hander Kieren Collins took the mound and delivered a solid start, retiring nine of the first ten batters he faced before the opposition found their rhythm.
The Blue Jays struck first when William Jaun launched a lead‑off solo home run, sending a shot over the left‑field fence to put Hopkins ahead early.
Jacob Harris added to the early fireworks in the third inning, crushing a towering blast to right that extended the lead to 2‑0, sparking excitement among the Hopkins faithful.
Baldwin Wallace answered swiftly, tying the game in the bottom of the fourth and then seizing momentum with a five‑run explosion in the seventh, turning a close contest into a commanding lead.
The Yellow Jackets capped the scoring with a two‑run homer in the ninth, pushing the final margin to 11‑3 before Hopkins managed a solitary run in the top of the ninth to finish at 11‑4.
Despite the loss, Hopkins’ offense showed depth, with three players collecting multiple hits; Jaun drove in three runs via a home run, a double and a walk, underscoring his consistency.
The team’s season has been marked by power, as they have hit multiple home runs in 32 of 49 games and sit just three shy of the all‑time Division III record, a testament to their historic hitting prowess.
A Historic Offensive Night
Looking ahead, the Blue Jays will meet the loser of the Denison/East Texas Baptist matchup in an elimination game scheduled for May 30, a chance to stay alive in the tournament.