FAIRFAX, Va. – Trailing by two runs in the bottom of the ninth, the Patriots loaded the bases, but the rally fell just short as No. 25 UNCW slipped past the Mason baseball team with a 4-2 win on Friday afternoon at Spuhler Field.
In the first game of a weekend series, the Patriots stayed close to the ranked Seahawks throughout the game but slipped to 13-26 overall and 5-14 in the CAA with the loss. UNCW improved to 28-11 overall and 10-2 in the conference, with starter Mat Batts picking up the win (6-2) and Kelly Secrest earning his fifth save of the season. Mason starter Jared Gaynor (2-6) took the loss.
UNCW struck first with an RBI single up the middle from Luke Dunlap in the top of the third, but Mason responded in the home half. With two outs, Brandon Gum walked and advanced to third on a single by Tommy Vitaletti to put runners on the corners. Derek Evans then stepped to the plate and lined to UNCW second baseman Michael Bass who looked like he was going to get a double play, but his throw to first to catch Vitaletti sailed high, allowing Gum to score from third and tie the game at 1-1.
However, the Seahawks grabbed the lead back in the top of the fourth as Ryan LaGrange led off with a single, advanced to second on an error by Mason second baseman Jordan Hill and scored off of a single from Terence Connelly for a 2-1 lead.
Tacking on another run in the top of the seventh, LaGrange delivered an RBI double to extend the Seahawk advantage to 3-1. Again the Patriots responded to cut into the UNCW lead in the home half. With one out, Josh Leemhuis doubled to left and one batter later crossed home on a single to center by Gum to get the Patriots back to within a run, 3-2.
UNCW got that run back in the top of the eighth, using a two out double from Michael Bass to put the lead back to two runs, 4-2.
The Patriots mounted a rally in the bottom of the ninth, threating to steal the game from UNCW. With one out, Duncan Satherlie and Leemhuis connected on back-to-back singles to bring Jordan Hill to the plate. Hill drew the count full and fouled off seven consecutive pitches before singling to right field to load the bases. However, Gum lined out to the first baseman and Vitaletti struck out swinging to end the threat.
Gaynor went 8.0 innings, allowing four runs (one earned) on eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Taylor Hunt threw the final inning, giving up two hits with a walk. Gum plated the lone RBI for the Patriots in a 2-for-3 performance at the plate, while Leemhuis went 2-for-4.
Batts lated 6.2 innings, givng up two runs (one earned) on five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. The Seahawks used two other pitchers before getting to Secrest, who allowed three hits and struckout two in the ninth for the save. LaGrange went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with an RBI.
The Patriots and Seahawks take to the diamond in game two of the series tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.
