CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Citadel scored five runs over the
first two innings to go up early and eventually top the George Mason baseball
team, 9-1, on Friday afternoon at Riley Park.
It was the season opener for both squads, with the Bulldogs
improved to 1-0 while Mason dropped to 0-1. The Citadel starter Austin Pritcher
picked up the win over six scoreless innings of work, while Anthony Montefusco
took the loss after throwing five innings.
The Bulldogs put two on the board in the bottom of the
first, as second baseman Mason Davis led off with a single up the middle and
came home on a home run down the right field line by catcher Joe Jackson to put
the home team up early.
Three additional Bulldog runs crossed the plate in the
bottom of the second, with Davis, left fielder Drew Derlegand and Jackson all
registering an RBI.
Mason threatened in the top of the third, as second baseman
Jordan Hill reached with a single and advanced all the way to third on a wild
pitch. Left fielder Josh Leemhuis hit a pop to shallow right field and Hill attempted to run home, but he was unable to beat the throw and was called out at home to
end the inning.
An RBI double in the bottom of the fourth from Jackson and a
three-error bottom of the sixth scored two additional Bulldog runs and pushed
the lead to 8-0.
Mason found its way on to the scoreboard in the seventh,
loading the bases with no outs. Designated hitter Duncan Satherlie led off with
a single, catcher Ray Toto was hit by a pitch and pinch hitter Nick Allen
singled up the middle. With shortstop Brandon Gum at the plate, Satherlie
scored and runners advanced on a wild pitch for the Patriots' lone run of the
inning to leave the score at 8-1.
The Bulldogs went on to add a run in the bottom of the
eighth for the final 9-1 margin.
Montefusco threw six innings for the Patriots, giving up
eight runs (six earned) on 10 hits, four strikeouts and a walk in the loss.
Mark Maksimow and Tanner Love each threw an inning of relief, with Love giving
up the final run of the game.
Satherlie led the Mason offense, going 2-for-3 with one run
scored.
Citadel starter Austin Pritcher earned the win, throwing six
scoreless innings and allowing four hits.
The Patriots return to action tomorrow, facing High Point in
game two of The Citadel tournament. The game has been moved up to 10:30 a.m.
tomorrow due to the threat of rain in Charleston.
