April 9, 2008

Box Score

The George Mason baseball team got strong pitching in eight innings but it was the ninth that proved fatal as the Patriots gave up three runs in the top of the ninth and lost to Richmond, 6-3 at Spuhler Field.

Scott Krieger was 4 for 5 and Ryan Soares had two RBI but Justin Bour had his 13-game hitting streak snapped. Darren McLean allowed three runs on five hits and one walk in his first start of the season, but he got a no decision. Mason fell to 14-18 on the year while Richmond improved to 14-17-1.

For the third time in the past five games, the Patriots fell behind early. In the first inning with a runner on first, Evan Stehle homered to left field to put the Spider up 2-0. Mason tied the score in the second when Josh Steinberg singled, Mark Hill and Spencer Wiggins walked and Ryan Soares delivered with a two-out single. But after a scoreless third, the Patriots couldn't be happy with a 2-2 game as they left two runners on in the first and the bases loaded in the second and third.

The Patriots took their first lead in the fifth when Scott Krieger led off with a single up the middle, went to third on a Shane Davis single to right and scored when Josh Steinberg grounded into a double play. Richmond tied the game in the sixth as Stehle singled and Ryan Metzroth doubled to put runners on second an third. Starting pitcher Darren McLean was lifted and T.J. O'Grady's second pitch was wild allowing Stehle to score a run, tying the score at 3-3.

The game remained knotted at 3-3 until the top of the ninth. Mike Mergenthaler led off with a single, went to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Andrew Lowry's double to left. Austin Reilly reached on an infield single and after a Joe White sacrifice bunt, Hank Coogan singled home the runners to make it 6-3.

Mason will next take the field on Friday when the Patriots open a three-game series at Hofstra. Game time on Friday is set for 3 p.m.