Release courtesy of Johns Hopkins Athletic Communications
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – Third-seeded and sixth-ranked Lynchburg got a complete-game seven-hitter from Zack Potts, who worked out of serious trouble in both the eighth and ninth innings, to power the Hornets to a 5-2 win over top-seeded and top-ranked Johns Hopkins in the first game of the best two-of-three championship series at the 2023 Division III World Series Wednesday afternoon.
The Hornets (47-7) struck early as they scratched across a pair of first-inning runs on just one hit against Blue Jay starter Kieren Collins. After loading the bases on a walk and a pair of hit batters, Lynchburg got the big early hit it needed as Eric Hiett roped a double to the base of the wall in left field to chase home Brandon Garcia and Avery Neaves and stake the Hornets to the early two-run lead.
The Blue Jays threatened in the bottom of the fourth after senior Sam Frank ripped a one-out double off the wall in left center, but Potts needed just two pitches to work his way out of trouble.
Potts kept the Blue Jays off balance at the plate throughout the first seven innings and got another run of support in the top of the fifth. Benton Jones opened the inning with a single to left and swiped second with one out before Sean Pokorak reached on an error. After Collins induced a fly ball to right field, Hornets' Gavin Collins singled home Jones to push the lead to 3-0.
The three-run lead held until the seventh, when the Hornets punched across another run to grab a four-run lead. It was Gavin Collins again coming up with the big hit as he laced an RBI-single to right center that plated Neaves, who had poked a one-out double to left center. Lynchburg added a single run in the top of the eighth to make it a 5-0 game.
The Blue Jays touched Potts for a run in the bottom of the eighth to get on the board. Sam Browning and Dillon Souvignier sandwiched singles around a Hornet error and sophomore Shawn Steuerer picked up his World Series-leading 14th RBI with a sacrifice fly that Browning scored on. With runners and first and third, Potts was able to induce a ground out from Sam Frank to end the threat.
After setting down the Hornets in the ninth, the Blue Jays had Potts in trouble again in the ninth. Tripp Myers opened the inning by reaching on an error and raced to third on a single to right from Caleb Cyr. A Jimmy Stevens sacrifice fly plated Myers to trim the deficit to 5-2. Dylan Whitney followed with a single and the Blue Jays loaded the base with one out when Browning reached on a fielder's choice and throwing error. Potts settled in and induced pop ups from Hopkins' next two batters with the bases loaded to finish off his complete game victory.
Inside the Box Score – Johns Hopkins
• Myers was the only Blue Jay to collect multiple hits in the game as he was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
• Steuerer's 14 RBIs are now just two shy of the Division III World Series record of 16 (Craig Lieder – Wisconsin-Oshkosh (1995)).
• Kieren Collins took the loss as he went 6.0 innings and allowed five hits and three runs (two earned) before giving way in the seventh.
Inside the Box Score – Lynchburg
• Potts allowed just the seven hits and didn't walk anyone while allowing just the two unearned runs late in the game. He improves to 13-0 on the year with today's victory.
• Gavin Collins and Hiett both collected a pair of hits on the day to pace a seven-hit attack for the Hornets.
• Brandon Garcia made several strong plays in the field before Potts to keep the bases clear. He collected five defensive assists from his spot at shortstop.
Notes of Interest
• With the loss today, the Blue Jays are on the brink of elimination, a place they've had a good amount of success in recent years. Dating back to 2007, JHU is 40-17 in elimination games, including 26-12 in the NCAA Tournament and 5-4 in the Division III World Series.