March 26, 2004

Box Score

Fairfax, VA--Craig Welch's three-run homerun in the top of the eighth led Akron (8-7) to a 7-2 victory over George Mason University (13-8) Friday afternoon at Spuhler Field in Fairfax, VA.

The Patriots' junior Stacen Gant allowed two runs in the first inning after Bob Dubovec hit a double to score Charlie Lenhard, while Welch hit a sacrifice fly to score Doug Kruthaupt to put Akron up, 2-0. In the bottom of the sixth, Mason answered with two runs of its own after junior Adam Innerst singled to left field to drive in both senior Bruce Baldwin and junior Chris Looze to even the score. With junior Josh Morrison taking over at the mound for the Patriots, Welch hit the game-winning three-run homerun in the top of the eighth to drive in Dubovec and Kruthaupt for Akron.

Sophomore Robby Jacobsen was 3-of-4 at the plate, while senior Jeff Palumbo was 2-of-4 for the Patriots on the afternoon. Gant pitched the first seven innings and gave up two earned runs off of four hits, while walking four and striking out six Zips. Morrison saw action for one inning and gave up three runs, two of which were earned, off two hits, while walking one Akron player and freshman Dan Jaycox pitched the final inning to give up two earned runs off one hit, while walking three Zips.

Ross Liersemann was the lead-off pitcher for Akron as he pitched the first six innings and gave up two earned runs off of five hits, while walking three and striking out two Patriots. Billy McKinney pitched 1.1 innings and allowed two hits, while walking one and striking out one Mason player and Darek Stanfield was the final pitcher for Akron as he allowed just one hit in 1.2 innings.

The Patriots will return to action on Mar. 27 when they compete against Akron at Spuhler Field at 2 p.m.