March 25, 2007

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - Facing a three-run deficit and on the brink of their second consecutive loss to Colonial Athletic Association rival Georgia State (12-14, 2-4 CAA), the Patriots' offense came alive in the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday afternoon at Spuhler Field, plating four runs to win 8-7. With the win, George Mason improves to 11-11 overall and 7-4 in CAA games.

The Patriots were behind by three runs and down to their final two outs of the game after sophomore Spencer Wiggins grounded out to begin the ninth. The next batter, junior Chris Fournier, hit a line drive just out of the reach of the outstretched arms of Georgia State left fielder Michael McCree. Fournier advanced to third on a throwing error by McCree. Sophomore Scott Krieger stepped up the plate next and walked to put runners on the corners. After Krieger's walk, Georgia State head coach Greg Frady summoned left-hander Bobby Bennett from the bullpen to take the place of Jeramy Compton. The move didn't work, as junior Chris Romanow greeted Bennett with an RBI single, scoring Fournier from third to cut the deficit to 7-5. With two runners on, Frady went to the bullpen again, bringing in Adam Bowling to relieve Bennett. The first batter Bowling faced, designated hitter Chris Henderson, hit a ground ball double down the left field line that scored Krieger from second and moved Romanow to third. With two runners in scoring position, Bowling intentionally walked freshman Justin Bour to load the bases and bring his brother, catcher Jason Bour, to the plate. Jason Bour's ground ball found the hole on the right side of the infield and went into right field for a single, scoring Romanow from third and moving Henderson to third and Justin Bour to second. With the score tied at seven, sophomore Mike Laird pinch hit for third baseman Ryan Uphouse. The move worked to perfection, as Laird hit a ground ball single up the middle to bring home the winning run for the Patriots.

Mason erased an early five-run deficit to win the game. Georgia State scored five times in the top of the third, with two of the runs scoring on first baseman Charlie Pelt's home run to right field. Pelt was a tough out for the Patriots all series long, hitting a two-run home run in each of the three games.

After managing only four hits in yesterday's loss, George Mason had 15 hits and two home runs on Sunday. Fournier, who had three hits in the game, hit a solo shot to center field in the fifth. Justin Bour lined a solo shot over the right field fence in the bottom of the eighth.

Sophomore Jordan Flasher picked up the win in relief to improve to 2-1 on the season. Flasher pitched the final two innings for the Patriots, allowing no runs and only one hit. Bowling was charged with the loss for the Panthers, falling to 1-1 on the season, after giving up Laird's game-winning single.

George Mason hits the road for its next game, playing the Virginia Cavaliers in Charlottesville, Va. on Tuesday, March 27 at 5 p.m.