FT. MYERS, Fla. -- John Hopkins clubbed a season-high 10 doubles en route to a 22-3 victory against St. Joseph's (L.I.), giving head coach Bob Babb his 1,000th career victory.
In his 35th season at the helm for Hopkins, Babb became the ninth coach in Division III history to reach that milestone, and the fourth active DIII coach to amass 1,000 victories. Babb was thrilled to get the win surrounded by friends and family, and tipped his cap to the elite group of coaches he has now joined.
“It feels special because the players and parents were so supportive,” Babb said. “I’m honored because the ones who have done it and are still around coaching; I know pretty much all of them and they’re good guys. I know how hard they’ve worked. To be associated with them is really an honor.”
The Blue Jays improve to 10-2 on the season with the victory, while Babb now stands 1,000-354-12 (.736) all time as the coach of Johns Hopkins baseball. St. Joseph’s drops to 2-8 on the year with the loss.
The Hopkins offense was firing on all cylinders throughout the game, scoring three runs each in both the first and third innings to go up early on the Golden Eagles. Sophomore Kyle Gillen had a great day at the plate with three doubles and two RBIs, while junior Colin McCarthy added a pair of RBIs on three hits. Seniors John Maxwell and Mike Denlinger both knocked in three RBIs a piece as the duo combined for four doubles in the victory.
The Jays batted around the order in both the fourth and fifth to open up an even bigger lead on St. Joseph’s, scoring eight in each inning to provide more than enough run support for the pitching staff.
The Blue Jay pitchers didn’t allow much, as sophomore Carter Burns recorded six strikeouts in his second win of the season. Ross Lazicky, Chris Reilly, Ed Bryner and Michael Grewe combined to throw four innings out of the bullpen, and allowed only one earned run to the Golden Eagles.
