FAIRFAX, Va. – A solo home run by Patrick Esposito was all the offense the George Mason baseball team could produce as it was outslugged by the University of Connecticut, 9-1, on Friday afternoon at Spuhler Field.
The win improved UConn to 30-25 on the season and gave starter Anthony Marzi his fourth win of the season (4-6). Mason fell to 17-35 overall, and starter John Williams took the loss, dropping to 2-6.
The Patriots struck first and took their first lead of the series in the bottom of the second. Coming out swinging, Tucker Tobin just missed a home run to lead off the inning, but Esposito followed right on his tails with his second home run of the season. The catcher sent the ball deep over the left center wall to put Mason ahead, 1-0.
It would be all Huskies the rest of the way, as they received big two-out run production to take the lead in the top of the third. With a runner on third and two outs, LJ Mazzilli found a hole in the left side to bring in the first run, and Vinny Siena followed with his first career home run, giving the Huskies a 3-1 advantage.
UConn cushioned its lead in the fifth, bringing in two runs with no outs to chase Williams off the mound. Tanner Love came on in relief and allowed the Huskies to drive in one more run to put their lead at five runs, 6-1.
Tacking on three more in the top of the ninth, Mazzilli registered his fifth home run of the season before two runs crossed home plate to leave the score at 9-1. The Patriots made it interesting in the home half, as pinch hitter Andrew Sable, Brandon Gum and Josh Leemhuis connected on three consecutive two out singles to load the bases. However the rally came to an end as Derek Evans popped out to second to end the game.
Esposito finished the day 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Gum went 2-for-4 and Leemhuis 2-for-5. Williams lasted four innings, allowing six runs on eight hits with two strikeouts. Tanner Love threw four strong innings of relief, giving up just two hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Mark Maksimow and Neight Hoffa threw the ninth for Mason, with Maksimow allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits with a walk and a strikeout in just 0.1 innings of work, while Hoffa set down his only two batters faced.
Mazzilli led the UConn offense with a 4-for-5, three RBI showing, including a solo home run. Marzi threw seven innings allowing just one run and scattering six hits with seven strikeouts. Will Jolin closed out the game, giving up four hits with two strikeouts over the final two innings.
The Patriots and Huskies wrap up action tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. The team will recognize its seniors before the game, and host its Vs.Cancer head shaving event post-game.
