By Jim Dixon
D3sports.com
EASTLAKE, Ohio - It was the classic pitchers duel that everyone was looking forward to seeing.
Kean's Jason Gilmam, the D3baseball Pitcher of the Year, and Kieren Collins did not disappoint but it was Gilman who got the better of the matchup.
No. 9 Kean prevailed 5-3 over No. 1 Johns Hopkins in the first elimination game of the 2025 DIII World Series being played at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake, Ohio. The Johns Hopkins loss ended the career of long-time coach Bob Babb.
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"You are going into the game knowing who you are playing," said Kean head coach Neil Ioviero. "The numbers ore unimaginable. You know you would not have to make too many mistakes and get away with it."
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| Kean's Tyler Stone evades the tag of Johns Hopkins' Caleb Cyr. The call was challenged and the run was counted for the Cougars. Photo by Ryan Coleman, d3photography.com | More photos from this game |
"We brought out our best pitcher and that was the difference in the game," said Ioviero. "It starts on the mound, keeping the game close and the score down. It is obvious how good he is. He gave us the performance we needed."
"We ran into a talented pitcher that threw well," said John Hopkins head coach Bob Babb. "He kept us off balance and threw some outstanding 3-2 pitches."
Gilman pitched a complete game win with 14 strikeouts and no walks. He allowed three runs on eight hits.
"You cannot go out there and compete if you don't have something," said Gilman. "I was lucky to command multiple pitches throughout the game."
"Every time he is on the mound, you don't have to score in the beginning," said Kyle Ardono. "When you get runs, you now he is going to shut it down."
- D3baseball.com World Series Scoreboard
- D-III World Series Record Book
- D3baseball.com World Series Program
Gilman was sharp from the start with four strikeouts in his first trip through the Johns Hopkins order.
An error by Nick Sellari allowed Jake Siani, the number nine hitter, to gain first base. A balk and an infield single moved Siani to third where a Shawn Stereuer sacrifice fly brought him home and a 1-0 lead.
While Gilman was cruising, Collins was getting in and out of trouble, allowing four base runners and stranding all four through the opening two innings.
Kean would break though in the fifth inning. A single by Justin Teixeira and a sac bunt put him on second. Dylan Whitney booted an offering by Dominic Masino, putting runners on the corners. A groundout by Adorno plated Teixeira. Tyler Stone walked, bringing up Dan Reistle. Reistle, singled to right that scored Masino. Reistle took second when the throw went to home. An attempt to pick off Reistle allowed Stone to make it to home plate ahead of the tag by the catcher on the return throw. Kean took a 3-1 lead.
Collins continued to have trouble retiring Siani. On his second plate appearance, the centerfielder homered to right field to bring the Blue Jays within one run.
Kean tacked on a run in the seventh. Three straight two-out hits gave Reistle a second RBI on the day as Kyle Adorno scored ahead of the throw home. Johns Hopkins answered quickly on Siani's second home run of the game, ending the seventh with the Cougars holding a 4-3 advantage.
Kean added an insurance run in the eighth. Brett Hilsheimer was hit by a pitch and later scored on a single to right center by Masino.
"You don't know how many runs it is going to win the gave," said Ioviero. "If you give up one, don't give up two. On offense it is the opposite."
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For Kean, Masino, Reistle and Teixeira had multiple hits with two each. Reistle drove in a team high two runs. Siana and Alex Shane led Johns Hopkins with two hits. With a two home run game, Siani drove in two and scored all three Blue Jay runs.
Kieren Collins pitched 6.2 innings, giving up four runs (one earned) on eight hits and two walks. Grant Meert pitched an inning and was touched for a run on three hits. Thomas Cancian finished the game for the Blue Jays. He was perfect for his 1.1 innings on the mound
Kean advances to play the loser of the Messiah-Endicott game tomorrow at a scheduled 4:45 pm start.
Johns Hopkins ends their season with a 44-5 record.
This game was the last for Johns Hopkins head coach Babb.
"It was an outstanding season," noted Babb. "Not only what they did on the field but in the classroom. The most enjoyable thing about coaching was all the relationships I have developed."
"Congrats to Bob for all he has done for baseball," said Ioviero. "He is as good as anyone who has done it and I wish him well."
We wish coach Babb all the success in his retirement and many years to do all those things that he has missed due to the commitment to Johns Hopkins and the lives of those student athletes that he has influenced.