Feb. 24, 2006

Box Score

Charleston, S.C. - The George Mason baseball team scored five runs in the first inning but couldn't make the lead hold up against Virginia as the Cavaliers rallied past the Patriots to down Mason 9-7 in the first meeting between the schools since Virginia eliminated Mason from the 2004 College World Series.

Mason had five hits and capitalized on one error in the first to jumped out to the big first-inning lead. Spencer Wiggins and Robby Jacobsen singled and an error on Scott Krieger's grounder loaded the bases. A passed ball allowed Wiggins to score and Jon Weislow's single made it 2-0. Tyler Youngs doubled to make it 4-0 and Matt York singled to snap an 0 for 27 slump to make it 5-0.

Virginia's comeback began in the bottom of the second. Brandon Guyer doubled and David Adams homered to lead off the inning to make it 5-2. Later in the inning Jeremy Farrell singled, went to second on a groundout and scored on a Greg Miclat single.

In the third, Brandon Marsh, Sean Doolittle and Guyer singled to lead off the inning and load the bases. A fielder's choice by Adams made it 5-4 and a bunt single by Tom Hagan tied the score.

Virginia took its first lead in the fourth when Mike Mitchell tripled and came home on a Marsh ground out. Mason tied it in the fifth when Krieger singled, Jason our doubled and Weislow grounded out to plate Krieger.

The Cavaliers (7-1) retook the lead in the fifth when Guyer reached on an error and Adams and Hagan singled to load the bases. Guyer scored an unearned run when Farrell grounded into a double play.

Mason once again quickly tied the score, this time at 7-7. Mason's run came in the sixth when Youngs led off the inning with a single and scored on a two-out triple by Brett Pomykala.

Mason (3-5) would have no rally for the Cavaliers' two-run sixth. Miclat led off the inning with a double and Mitchell singled to make it 8-7. Marsh doubled to bring home Mitchell, making it 9-7.

Eric Gibbons took the loss for Mason, allowing nine runs, eight earned, in five and one-third innings. He surrendered 14 hits but did not allow a walk while striking out two. Phil Stone and Jordan Flasher combined to pitch two and two-third scoreless innings with three strikeouts.

Mike Ballard started for Virginia but earned a no-decision. Michael Schwimer got the win, allowing just one run on three hits in three and two-third innings. Casey Lambert got the save pitching a perfect ninth with two strikeouts.

Mason returns to action on Saturday at 2 p.m. when the Patriots take on College of Charleston.