JHU Blue Jays - 14 at Team Scotland - 3

The day of the first Scotland national team game for 5 years proved to be an eventful but ultimately highly enjoyable one as the Johns Hopkins University Blue Jays were welcomed to Edinburgh. The first talking point proved to be the weather as relatively dry conditions in the run up to the game gave hope of no interruptions. Sadly this wish proved to be
unfounded.

As both teams finished their warm ups, monsoon-like conditions flooded the field in a very short period of time and thunder and lightning necessitated clearing the area until the rain abated. A monumental effort was then made by everyone to have the field ready for a delayed start and the game finally got underway at 2:45pm.

The game proved to be a terrific match with both teams showing their class. The power hitting of the JHU players showed early as they strung together hit after hit to leave the home team reeling. Scotland starter Jason Derr would battle hard but the Jays simply picked apart the home defence finding the gaps at will. Derr would go five innings before being replaced by Dougie Robertson. Fired-up Robertson would pitch three electric scoreless innings to the delight of the big crowd and pick up the game mvp award for the Scottish team in the process. The final inning would belong to Blair McLelland who also held JHU scoreless but the damage had been done early.

In reply to the JHU hitting, Spencer Mackay brought some cheer to the home crowd, going 2-4 with 2 rbi's and a double whilst Adam Pender chipped in with a sacrifice fly that scored David Donaldson for Scotland's last run of the day. Donaldson and Scott Spurlock would also contribute to the
offense but the JHU pitching proved to be too deep and strong. JHU would use 11 pitchers on the day (as well as 23 position players) in a remarkable exhibition of their depth and talent level.

The game proved to be highly enjoyable in spite of the weather and the Scotland team, especially the younger members of the squad will have learned a great deal from the experience of playing against such a high level of opposition.

Team Scotland extends their thanks to Coach Babb and all the JHU players and best wishes for the future.