March 28, 2006

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - Trailing by a run heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Patriots (11-15) rallied to send the game into extra frames, before falling 11-9 in 10 innings to Navy (19-8-1) on Tuesday afternoon at Spuhler Field.

With one down in the bottom of the ninth, catcher Robby Jacobsen knocked left-hander Ryan Hefner's offering over the right-center field fence to tie the game at nine. The Patriots scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to cut into a three-run deficit and set the stage for Jacobsen's blast, his seventh of the season.

The Midshipmen immediately answered in the top of the 10th, scoring two runs. With one out, first baseman Mitch Harris' ground ball found its way through the left side of the infield for a single. After Harris' single, Patriots' head coach Bill Brown called on his bullpen, bringing in right-hander Jordan Flasher to relieve Phil Stone. The first batter Flasher faced, left fielder Jared Munde singled to right field, advancing Harris to third. The next batter, B.J. Bickel, struck out as Munde stole second base. With two down, right fielder Ryan McGinn hit a line drive double to left-center, driving in both runners.

Right-hander Mark McCoy entered the game in the bottom of the 10th and retired the side to earn his first save of the season. Hefner picked up the win for Navy to improve to 4-1, while Stone was charged with the loss to fall to 0-2 on the season.

Both teams posted double-digit hit totals on the afternoon. The Midshipmen banged out 18 hits, while the Patriots had 13. McGinn led the Navy offense with four hits and three RBI, including the game-winner. Shortstop Mike Genovese, Jacobsen and first baseman Chris Romanow each drove in two runs for Mason.

The Patriots play again tomorrow on the road against Liberty in Lynchburg, Va. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.