ELON, N.C. - Host
Elon University scored two runs in the top of the first and led the entire
contest as it went on to defeat the George Mason baseball team, 4-1, on
Saturday morning at Latham Park.
Elon (2-0) wasted no time registering the first runs of the
game to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Phoenix center fielder Niko
Fraser started the inning with a single, and Mason starting pitcher senior A.J.
Johnson walked the next batter to put runners on first and second. Elon catcher
Alex Swim grounded out to advance the runners, and Johnson issued his second
walk of the inning to first baseman Ryan Kinsella to load the bases.
EU's next batter, shortstop Garrett Koster, reached on a
fielder's choice to force an out at second but two runs crossed the plate to
give the Phoenix the 2-0 advantage.
Elon added one run each in the third and fourth innings to
extend its lead to 4-0. Swim registered an RBI single in the third and Fraser
drove in the run in the fourth.
Senior designated hitter Zack Helgeson got Mason on the
board in the top of the seventh, as he drove the ball down the left field line
for a solo home run, leaving the score at 4-1 in favor of the host Phoenix who
improved to 2-0 on the early season.
Mason struggled at the plate, registering just three hits. Helgeson
was 1-for-4, scoring Mason's only run on his solo shot.
Johnson (0-1) took the loss for Mason, throwing five innings
and allowing five hits, four runs (three earned), two walks and four
strikeouts. Freshman John Williams pitched three scoreless in relief, giving up
two hits while striking out three.
Koster led Elon with two RBI, while Fraser was 2-for-4 with
a run scored and an RBI.
Phoenix pitcher Dylan Clark (1-0) earned the win after
throwing seven innings and allowing just three hits and one run scored
(earned). He also finished with one walk and four strikeouts. Elefante pitched
one-third of an inning in relief, giving up a walk and Andrew MacDonald earned
the save (1) pitching one and two-thirds scoreless innings with a strikeout.
The Patriots will face Elon in the second game of the
doubleheader starting at 12:45 pm.
