March 28, 2004

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - Akron catcher Jim Bonnette broke a 5-5 tie with a RBI single in the top of the eighth and Zips hurler Darek Stanfield pitched two solid innings to earn the save as Akron held on for a 6-5 non-conference baseball win over George Mason in the rubber match of a three-game series at Sphuler Field Sunday afternoon in Fairfax, VA.

The Patriots fall to 14-9 overall, while the Zips improve to 9-8 on the season. Mason left fielder Adam Innerst recorded three RBI on three hits, including a triple in the second, in five at-bats. Designated hitter Kyle Barrett went 2-for-4 with two RBI. The Zips spread their scoring amongst six players. Designated hitter Bob Dubovec slammed a home run in the sixth. Bonnette finished the contest going 2-for-4 with a RBI. First baseman Craig Welch also went 2-for-4 with a RBI.

Akron struck in the first inning as Welch recorded the RBI. Mason took a 3-1 advantage in the bottom half of the inning after Innerst registered two RBI off a single to left and Barrett hit a sacrifice fly for a RBI.

Innerst's triple in the second scored shortstop Jeff Palumbo, giving Mason a 4-1 lead heading into the third. Patriot starting pitcher Brent Hitz cruised into the top the sixth before Dubovec homered to trim the Mason lead to 4-2.

Two Patriot errors in the seventh led to the Zips earning three runs in the frame to stake a 5-4 lead. Barrett's RBI single in the bottom of the inning tied the contest at 5-5 before Bonnette's go-ahead blast in the eighth.

Hitz pitched six and a third innings, giving up five runs, four earned, on eight hits with four strikeouts. Jeff Dinwoodie took the loss for the Patriots on one hit with one earned run in one inning pitched.

Akron's Tony Samad is the pitcher on record to earn the win. Darek Stanfield allowed one hit in two innings to garner the save.

George Mason returns to action Wednesday at Navy at 2:30 p.m.

Box Score
Akron (9-8) - 100 001 310 - 6-10-2
George Mason (14-9) - 310 000 100 - 5-10-2