FAIRFAX, VA. - The George Mason baseball team took an early
lead but couldn't hold on as it fell to William and Mary, 6-3, in game two of
the doubleheader on Friday afternoon at Spuhler Field.
With one out in the top of the first, senior third baseman
Brig Tison singled to left, redshirt sophomore first baseman Anthony Montefusco
reached on an error and senior designated hitter Zack Helgeson walked to load
the bases for redshirt sophomore Josh Leemhuis, who hit a sacrifice fly deep to
right field, allowing Tison to score for a 1-0 Mason (14-10, 3-5 CAA) advantage.
The lead was short lived, as William and Mary (16-9, 5-3 CAA) scored a run
off of an RBI single by shortstop Ryan Williams in the top of the second and
another run in the top of the third, extending their lead, 2-1.
However, Mason grabbed the lead back in its half of the
third inning to assume a 3-2 advantage. With two out and nobody on, Helgeson
hit a double to left field. He came in to score on a RBI single to left field
by Leemhuis, who also crossed home plate on the same play. Tribe left fielder
Tadd Bower attempted the throw home to catch Helgeson, but his throw got away
from catcher Chris Forsten and was picked up by pitcher Cole Shain, who threw
wide of third base to try and catch Leemhuis, allowing him to score on the
error.
The lead exchanged hands for the final time in the top of
the fifth as the Tribe drove in four runs for the 6-3 lead. With the bases loaded
and one out, Bower registered an RBI sacrifice fly to left field, bringing in
one run. First baseman Michael Katz followed with an RBI single to right center
and designated hitter Stephen Arcure doubled to center, bringing in the final
two W&M runs of the inning.
Mason put runners on base in each of the final four innings
but was unable to score any additional runs to even the weekend series at 1-1.
Helgeson continued his hot hitting on the day, going 2-for-4
with two doubles and a run scored. Leemhuis drove in two runs for the Patriots,
finishing 1-for-4 at the plate.
Starter Ryan Pfaeffle (2-2) took the loss after 4.2 innings
of work with eight hits, six runs, one walk and four strikeouts. Branden
Bartlett closed the game for Mason, throwing 4.1 innings with two hits and two
strikeouts.
For the Tribe, Acure posted a 2-for-4 performance with two
RBI's in the game.
Shain Cole (2-2) earned the win, going 6.0 innings with six
hits, three runs (one earned), one walk and four strikeouts. Jay McCarthy
pitched in relief (1.2 IP, 3H, 2BB, 1K), and John Farrell took home his sixth
save of the season in 1.1 innings of relief.
The two teams conclude their season series tomorrow starting
at 2:00 pm.
