MESA, AZ. 3/18/10 – The Keene State College baseball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader against Johns Hopkins University at the Gene Autry Sports Complex in Mesa, Arizona on Thursday.   The Owls (5-4) lost the first game 15-4 and came up short in a second-game slugfest 16-14. Both were seven inning games.

            There weren't many highlights in the first game for the Owls, who mustered just five hits.  Freshman Matt Topper (Hudson, N.H.) knocked in one of KSC's four runs in the sixth inning with his first college hit - an RBI single.  

            Owl starter Jeff Raymond (Amston, Conn.) suffered his second loss (0-2) of the trip. Blue Jay batters collected 19 hits off of KSC pitchers.

            In the second game, Keene State fell behind 9-2, before scoring 10 runs in the top of the third inning to take a 12-9 lead.  The Owls scored their 10 runs on 10 hits.  Senior Keith Patnode (Keene, N.H.) tied the game with an RBI double to the base of the fence in center.  Junior Bobby Doyon (Keene, N.H.) followed with an RBI single, his second of the inning, to put KSC up 10-9. Sophomore Cody Callahan (Seekonk, Mass.) had a two-run single to make it 12-9.

            The Blue Jays (9-3) scored three runs in the fifth to go back on top 15-13.

            KSC had 16 hits in the nightcap.  Callahan had three hits and four RBIs and junior Peter Burgio (Bolton, Conn.) and Kyle Morrill (Auburn, N.H.) chipped in with three hits each.  

            Senior Mike Riley (East Hartford, Conn.), in relief of starter sophomore Jeff Pelkey (Fitzwilliam, N.H.) took the loss for the Owls.

            Keene State plays two seven inning games against Augsburg (Minn.) College on Friday.