NORFOLK, Va. – The George Mason baseball team opened its final Colonial Athletic Association series at Old Dominion on Friday night, but the Patriots could not counter timely hitting by the Monarchs as they defeated the Patriots, 3-0, at Bud Metheny Baseball Complex.
ODU improved its record to 25-21 overall and 14-11 in the CAA, and the Patriots dropped to 16-32 overall and 6-19 in the conference. Jared Gaynor threw a complete game for Mason but was saddled with the loss (2-8), while Dean Ali picked up the win for the Monarchs (3-3).
Mason got two big two-out hits by Blaise Fernandez and Anthony Montefusco in the first, but it was the Monarchs who struck first, as Ben Verlander led off with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Josh Eldridge and scored as PJ Higgins singled through the left side to give ODU a 1-0 advantage in the home half of the inning.
Mason threatened in the fourth, as Fernandez and Montefusco again connected on consecutive hits, but they were both left stranded.
ODU struck again in the bottom of the fifth, capitalizing on defensive misplays by the Patriots to add to their lead. Connor Meyers led off with a bunt single down the third base line and Verlander followed with a single through the left side to put runners on first and second. Eldridge put down a bunt, but Jordan Hill was bumped as he attempted the throw to first, allowing the batter to reach safely and Meyers an opportunity to come home for the first run of the inning.
After Verlander advanced to third on a flyout by Higgins, the Monarchs attempted a double steal, however a heads-up play by Brandon Gum caught Verlander at home, preventing another Monarchs' run. However, Gum then dropped a line drive that could have ended the inning but instead allowed Eldridge to score unearned and put the Monarchs up, 3-0.
The Patriots threatened with two baserunners in both the seventh and ninth innings but they were unable to capitalize, as the Monarchs opened the weekend series with a shutout win.
Gaynor threw eight solid innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on 10 hits with four strikeouts. Montefusco finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate, and Fernandez was 2-for-4.
Ali worked 6.0 innings, allowing four hits with a walk and seven strikeouts. Jake Josephs picked up his second save of the season after three scoreless innings of relief, giving up three hits with a strikeout.
