ELON, N.C. - The Elon baseball team scored four runs in the
bottom of the eighth inning as it rallied to defeat George Mason, 4-3, in game
two of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Latham Park.
Mason (1-3) jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the top half of
the first inning. Junior second baseman Chris Cook was awarded first base after
being hit by a pitch, and was followed by singles from senior third baseman
Brig Tison and senior outfielder Dan Schafferman to load the bases.
Cleanup hitter sophomore Blaise Fernandez drove in the first
run of the game with a sacrifice fly to right center, allowing Cook to score
for a 1-0 lead. Junior shortstop Duncan Satherlie then singled through the
right side to score Tison and leave the score at 2-0. The Patriots again found
themselves with the bases loaded after senior designated hitter Zack Helgeson
was hit by a pitch, and sophomore first baseman Mick Foley drove in the final
Mason run of the inning as he grounded out to third, scoring Schafferman for
the 3-0 edge. Freshman catcher Ray Toto loaded the bases for a third time in
the inning after he was hit by a pitch, but Elon pitcher David Whitehead worked
out of the jam by striking out junior center fielder Nick Allen to end the
inning.
Elon (3-0) threatened to score in the bottom of the sixth,
loading the bases with one out. However, Mason senior pitcher Ryan Pfaeffle
struck out pinch hitter Casey Jones and forced first baseman Chris Bresnahan
into a fielders choice to work out of the jam and leave the score at 3-0.
The Phoenix grabbed the lead in the bottom of the eighth,
registering four runs for the 4-3 advantage. Left fielder Jake Luce doubled to
right center with one out to score shortstop Garrett Koster, who doubled the
play before to bring the score to 3-1. Mason sophomore pitcher Neight Hoffa
then walked his next batter and was replaced by junior pitcher Chris O'Grady
who walked his first batter faced. The next batter, Bresnahan, reached on a
fielders choice to drive in another run, to cut the Mason lead to 3-2.
Elon center fielder Niko Fraser followed with a single to
first, scoring two runs as Elon went up, 4-3, sweeping
the Saturday doubleheader.
Mason received several strong hitting performances in the
game, as right fielder Dan Schafferman went 3-for-4 with a run scored.
Satherlie finished the day 2-for-4 with an RBI and Brig Tison went 2-for-4 with
a run scored.
Hoffa (0-1) took the loss in one-third inning of relief,
allowing three runs (three earned) with two hits and a walk. Starter Pfaeffle threw
six innings, registering three strikeouts while holding Elon scoreless on nine
hits. Also pitching for Mason was junior Brandon Kuter (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO) and
O'Grady (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB).
Elon's Fraser had two RBI on a 1-for-3 performance from the
plate. Nate Young earned the win in 2.0 innings of relief, allowing two hits
with two strikeouts. Starter David Whitehead threw six innings with six hits,
three runs (three earned), one walk and two strikeouts. Jordan Darnell closed
the game for Elon, striking out two in the ninth.
The Patriots return to action next Friday, taking part in
the Coastal Carolina Tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Their first game will be
against N.C. State on Friday at 2:00 pm.
