Feb. 27, 2009

Box Score

Jacksonville, Fla. - The George Mason baseball team was unable to stay unbeaten on the year as the Patriots took on Connecticut in the Kennel Club Classic hosted by University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. The Patriots fell to the Huskies on Friday, 6-4.

Mason trailed 4-0 before it got on the board as the Patriots were held to a season-low in runs scored. Ryan Soares and Shane Davis each had multiple hits while Chris Henderson homered.

Connecticut scored in the bottom of the first behind a double and an RBI single. In the second, the Huskies added two more runs on a single, a wild pitch, an RBI single, a steal and an RBI ground out. In the fourth, the score went to 4-0, this time on two singles and an RBI ground out.

Mason's first run came in the fifth when Ryan Uphouse and Chris Henderson singled and Scott Krieger drove them home with a single to left. The Huskies quickly rallied in the bottom of the frame, first with a leadoff home run, then with two singles and two hit batters. With the score 6-1, Mason began to rally.

In the sixth, Shane Davis singled, Mark Hill doubled and Brent Weiss' RBI ground out brought home Davis to make it 6-2. In the top of the ninth, Spencer Wiggins walked and Chris Henderson homered to make it a two-run game. Krieger followed with a one-out single but Justin Bour and Soares were unable to extend the rally.

Connecticut starter John Folino limited Mason to two runs and six hits in seven innings while striking out nine Patriots. Mike Modica suffered his first loss for Mason, allowing six runs one 10 hits in four and one-third innings. He didn't walk a batter while striking out five. Jason Koziol and Ben Reade pitched three and two-third perfect innings with five strikeouts.

The Patriots return to action on Saturday at 3 p.m. when they face Ohio State.