The Blue Jays Baseball team opened up its 2016 campaign in two hard-fought contests, first losing to the Keystone College Giants and then failing to capitalize on an eight-run lead in a tie with SUNY New Paltz.
Senior Carter Burns was on the hill for the Blue Jays in their first matchup of the weekend. Keystone sprung to an early lead in the first inning following a walk, a hit batter and a back pick to second base gone awry that allowed the lead runner to score.
Burns, though, would find his command after the first inning, showing good velocity with his fastball and good break on his curve. He finished his day with six strikeouts in five innings of work.
The Blue Jay bats were quiet throughout the day, but found ways to manufacture runs, nonetheless. Junior shortstop Conor Reynolds led off the bottom of the fourth, reached base via a walk, and promptly stole second base.
He was brought home after two consecutive sacrifice flies, to manufacture the Jays their first run of the season.
Hopkins was held hitless by an effective duo of Keystone pitchers through six and two-thirds innings, finishing the game with a total of three hits.
Hopkins threatened late, scoring three unanswered runs, bringing the score to 5-4, but Keystone pitching shut the door in the ninth inning, thwarting the Blue Jays’ comeback effort.
Sophomore Nick Burns started the second game of the weekend and held SUNY New Paltz to one run in three innings of work.
Burns was very effective in 2015, posting a 3-1 record and a 1.78 Earned Run Average (ERA) in 30 innings pitched, and in his first start of 2016 he picked up right where he left off.
The Jays’ bats awakened on Sunday, largely due to a change in mindset at the plate.
“On Sunday we were more aggressive at the plate and took forceful swings, looking to do damage,” senior second baseman Raul Shah said.
This was immediately evident in Shah’s approach at the plate, as he launched a 2-2 fastball over the right center fence for the first home run of the Jays’ season.
As a team, Hopkins tallied ten runs through four innings to give them a 10-2 lead in the fifth inning.
However, SUNY New Paltz did not quit and launched a comeback highlighted by a six-run sixth inning. After inducing a groundball against the first batter he faced, Senior Colin Friedman surrendered four hits and was replaced in the middle of the inning by sophomore Austin Sutor. A walk, a couple of hits and an error later, SUNY New Paltz was back in the game, only down by two runs.
SUNY then tied the game up in the seventh and took the lead in the eighth before being shut out for the rest of the evening by senior reliever Ross Lazicky, who came in to pitch an efficient two and one-thirds innings without giving up a run and finish out the game.
Reynolds tied up the game in the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run. The game ended as a tie due to darkness, leaving the Jays with an 0-1-1 record coming out of opening weekend.
Optimism remains high throughout the Blue Jay locker room, though.
“There is so much talent on this team that once the preseason rust wears off, we’ll be firing on all cylinders,” Shah said.
Excitement is high among players and fans alike, and the Blue Jays are looking forward to a very successful season.
Shah also outlined the “recipe” for Hopkins to be successful this year.
“Pitchers throw strikes, fielders make routine plays, and hitters are aggressive and look to hit,” Shah said.
The Jays will have one game at Salisbury on Thursday and two more at home against Cortland State Saturday and Sunday before their annual trip to Florida.
