FAIRFAX, Va. – The Towson baseball team slowly built a lead before putting the game away in the top of the eighth inning as it took the weekend series over the Patriots, 8-0, on Sunday afternoon at Spuhler Field.
The win improved the Tigers to 19-17 overall and 9-6 in the CAA, while the Patriots dropped to 13-23 overall and 5-13 in conference play. Throwing 7.0 innings, Towson starter Brandon Gonnella picked up the win to move to 4-2 and, despite a strong outing, Mason starter John Williams was straddled with the loss, sliding to 2-3 on the season.
Towson took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second after Kurt Wertz singled to right and advanced to scoring position on a sac bunt from Hunter Bennett. Mason starter Williams struck out his next batter, but Richie Blosser lined a shot to third base which Derek Evans lost, allowing Wertz to score all the way from second.
Another run crossed home plate for the Tigers in the sixth, as Wertz blasted his second home run of the weekend over the scoreboard in right field to double the lead, 2-0.
Towson loaded the bases with one out in the seventh, and Peter Bowles delivered a sac fly to center, building the Towson lead to 3-0 before the Tigers tacked on five more runs on four hits to put the game away in the top of the eighth, 8-0.
The Patriots were limited to just four hits over the first seven innings, not posing a threat until the eighth against new Towson pitcher Kyle Paul. With one out, Evans singled through the left side and Blaise Fernandez walked to put two on. Evans advanced to second on a flyout by Tucker Tobin and Fernandez then stole second to put two runners in scoring position, but Anthony Montefusco fouled out to end the threat.
Duncan Satherlie and Patrick Esposito both finished 2-for-4 on the day, the lone Patriots to record multiple hits. Williams was strong in his start, lasting 6.0 innings and giving up just two runs (one earned) on five hits with three walks and eight strikeouts.
Fisher had a 2-for-5, two RBI showing at the plate, and Bowles finished 2-for-4 with two RBI for the Tigers. Gonnella worked 7.0 scoreless, scattering four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Paul closed the game, allowing just two hits with a walk over the final two innings.
The Patriots return to action on Tuesday, hosting Georgetown at Spuhler Field at 3:00 p.m.
