March 20, 2006
Junior right-hander Zach Booker struck out eight and scattered four hits over 7 1/3 innings as UNC Wilmington edged George Mason, 3-2, in Colonial Athletic Association baseball action Sunday at Hap Spuhler Field. Senior Adam Paul struck out two in 1 2/3 innings of relief for his third save of the season.
The Seahawks win their second CAA series of the season and improve to 16-6 overall and 4-2 in the circuit. The Patriots dip to 8-14 and 3-6.
Booker, who improved to 4-0 with the win, allowed a single in the first inning before holding GMU hitless until the seventh inning. Senior outfielder John Raynor led the Seahawk lineup with three hits, scored twice and stole two bases on the afternoon. Sophomore outfielder Justin Barefoot drove in two runs for UNCW.
Sophomore Dan Jaycox, making his first start of the season, was tagged with the loss to fall to 1-1 on the season. The Hatfield, Pa. native allowed two runs on five hits in a season-long five innings. Five different Patriots collected hits in the series finale.
A two-run fourth put the Seahawks in front. Senior third baseman Matt Poulk opened the inning with a walk and Raynor followed with a double to right-center to put runners at second and third. Junior first baseman Jonathan Batts plated Poulk with a ground out to first and Barefoot scored Raynor with a safety squeeze bunt as the next batter.
UNCW added to its lead in the sixth when Barefoot doubled home Raynor to make it 3-0. Raynor singled to shortstop off GMU reliever J.J. Pannell to lead off the inning. Pannell struck out a season-high eight batters in four innings of relief.
Freshman outfielder Mike Laird brought the Patriots to within one, 3-2, with a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh. Sophomore first baseman Chris Romanow reached first base on an error to start the inning and moved to third on freshman outfielder Ryan Uphouse's third double of the season, setting the stage for Laird.
The Patriots continue their season-long seven-game homestand with a non-conference tilt against Mount St. Mary's, on Wednesday. First pitch is slated for 2:30 p.m.
