FAIRFAX, Va. – In its final CAA game at Spuhler Field, the George Mason baseball team was unable to hold off UNCW as the Seahawks completed the weekend series sweep with a 10-2 win on Sunday afternoon at Spuhler Field.
With the sweep the Seahawks improved to 30-11 overall and 12-2 in the CAA, while the Patriots fell to 13-28 overall and 5-16 in the conference. Jack Lane picked up his first win of the season in relief for UNCW, while Mason starter John Williams (2-4) took the loss in three innings of work.
UNCW picked up where it left off last game, as Michael Bass led off with a single, Tyler Molinaro walked and both scored on a double to deep right center from Luke Dunlap to put the Seahawks up, 2-0. Corey Dick extended the inning after reaching on a fielding error by Jordan Hill and one out later Matt Keeler hit an RBI sac fly to left, adding to the UNCW lead, 3-0.
Mason got one of those runs back in the home half, as Vitaletti hit a leadoff single, advanced to second on a groundout by Derek Evans, made it to third on a wild pitch and scored as Blaise Fernandez chopped the ball to the shortshop to get Mason on the board, 3-1.
The Seahawks got that run plus three back in the top of the second, batting around and scoring four runs on six hits to push the advantage to 7-1.
UNCW was held scoreless over the next four innings before tacking on another run in the seventh and two in the eighth for the final 10-2 margin.
All but two starters for the Patriots recorded a hit, as Vitaletti finished 1-for-4 with an RBI and Blaise Fernandez extended his on-base streak to 48 games with a 1-for-3, RBI showing at the plate. Williams threw three innings and allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits with three walks and a strikeout. Bowie threw four innings of relief and gave up a run on three hits with two walks and three strikeouts, while Chris Payne threw the final two innings allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits.
Each starter in the UNCW lineup had at least one hit on the day, led by a perfect 4-for-4, two RBI performance from Bass. Starter Evan Phillips went just three innings and gave up both Mason runs with two walks and a strikeout. Lane came on in relief and threw five scoreless with two hits, a walk and three strikeouts before Nick Monroe closed out the game for the Seahawks.
The Patriots return to action on Tuesday, hosting Longwood at 3:00 p.m.
