The George Mason University Patriots (42-11, 19-5) jumped to a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning, but the team could not contain the Georgia State University Panthers in their 9-3 loss. Left fielder Scott Krieger homered for the 20th time this season, giving Mason the early 2-0 lead. Krieger’s home run marked his 300th hit of his collegiate career. The Panthers countered with a two-run shot in the 3rd inning from first baseman/third baseman Bradley Logan, and they scored five more runs to extend their lead to 7-2 in the 8th inning. The Panthers hit a total of four home runs in the game. Mason attempted to rally in the 8th inning as right fielder Ryan Uphouse led off with a single, followed by a walk from center fielder Spencer Wiggins. Next, catcher Chris Henderson hit a pitch off the wall, but with the runners holding up just in case the ball was caught and Henderson seeing two bases, the Panthers prevented a bases loaded situation by tagging out Henderson. Krieger fouled out to first, but he cashed in his third RBI, scoring Uphouse from 3rd base. Even though Henderson enjoyed a 3-for-4 day after breaking his 0-for-15 slump, Mason suffered a loss that would have automatically placed them in the Colonial Athletic Association title game. Pitcher Kris Mengle (3-1) was charged with the loss after giving up five runs on five hits in 5-2/3 innings.
Mason (42-12, 19-5) was officially eliminated from the CAA Tournament after losing to the University of North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks 5-3 in the nightcap. Pitcher Dan Gerjets (3-2) gave up a huge three-run home run in the 3rd inning to center fielder Bobby Leeper, and even though Mason cut the lead to 3-2, Leeper’s home run proved to be the game-winner. Henderson, who had a solid performance in Mason’s 9-3 loss earlier in the day, hit his 14th home run of the season in the 6th inning. Throughout this season, Mason went through a number of comebacks, but the tide had shifted in the bottom half of the inning when right fielder Alex Hill hit the spoiler, a two-run shot, which was enough to put the game out of reach. Second baseman Ryan Soares led off the 7th inning with a single, but Mason could not produce any runs as the inning ended on a strike him out, throw him out from catcher Cody Stanley. Mason had bases loaded in the 8th inning with just one out, and their slugger Krieger was looking to do some damage. Instead of hitting a first-pitch grand slam to give Mason the lead, Krieger grounded into an inning-ending double play. First baseman Justin Bour hit a lead-off double in the 9th inning, and designated hitter Shane Davis singled to put runners on the corners. Third baseman Mark Hill hit into a fielder’s choice, scoring Bour, but with two outs and only one runner on, Mason had their last shot in preserving their season. Shortstop Brent Weiss prolonged the season just for the moment as he reached on a fielding error, but pinch hitter Dan Schafferman struck out looking to end the game and Mason’s chances to winning the CAA title. Mason, who ranked as high as 25th in the nation, will be looking to earn a slot in this season’s NCAA Tournament.
Comments