Opening Inning Fireworks
The eighth‑ranked Johns Hopkins baseball squad opened the 2026 NCAA Baltimore Regional with a 9‑6 victory over Pfeiffer, a contest that unfolded under the bright lights of the regional host site.
A four‑run fourth inning turned the tide, as Shane Keough launched a two‑run homer and Jacob Harris added an RBI double, giving the Blue Jays a decisive edge early in the game.
The offense kept rolling; Tony Mejias smashed a three‑run blast in the fifth, Clay Hartje followed with a two‑run homer, and Christian Bellantoni trimmed the margin with a two‑run shot in the sixth.
Luke Baker capped his afternoon by adding a solo homer in the later frames, while Jacob Harris contributed an insurance run with a leadoff solo shot in the eighth, extending the lead to 9‑5.
Relief pitcher Dylan Zucker sealed the win with a game‑ending flyout in the ninth, preserving the 9‑6 final score.
Looking Ahead
Next up, the Blue Jays meet Pomona‑Pitzer in a battle for a spot in the regional championship, a matchup that will test the depth of a lineup that has reached base safely in 35 of its last 37 games.
Beyond the single game, Hopkins continues to showcase consistency, having recorded hits in 23 of its last 30 contests and posting multiple home runs in 27 of 43 games this season.