Bobby Kirby threw seven strong innings to earn his fourth win of the year, as visiting Loyola defeated John Carroll, 5-3, in an eight-inning MIAA A Conference baseball game, yesterday in Bel Air.

Loyola (15-6, 5-4) trailed early, but the Dons were able to pull even on a sixth-inning sac fly by Drew Hoppes.  Hoppes then deliverd another sac fly, in a two-run Loyola eighth, to plate the game-winning run.  Hoppes finished the day 1-for-2 with two RBI.  

Kevin Sheild also had productive day, smacking two doubles in four trips and scoring two runs, while senior Eric Schimminger added a double, a RBI and a run scored. In addition, junior Harry Slade pitched a scoreless eighth to earn the save.

The outcome lifted Loyola into a fourth-place tie with St. Paul's, one game in front of the Patriots (5-8, 4-6).  Down the stretch, those three teams will be battling with Mount St. Joseph (3-5) and Cardinal Gibbons (3-6) for just three playoff spots.

Loyola 5, John Carroll 3, 8 innings
LOY 020 001 02  -  5  11  1
JC    003 000 00  -  3   6  1
Kirby, Slade (8) and Quaranta; Shaw, Loiddice (7) and Kirby.
2B: LOY-Quaranta, Shields (2), Schiminger; JC-Eisner, Wolfe.