Spartanburg, S.C. – It's Opening Day for the George Mason baseball team, with the Patriots beginning the 2016 campaign when they take the field against USC Upstate. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:00pm Friday, Feb. 19 at Harley Park in Spartanburg, S.C.
Last season, Mason finished with an overall record of 23-27-1. The Patriots played their first 14 games away from home and ended the year with a record of 6-8-1 in road games and 4-6 in games played at a neutral site.
The beginning of a new season is something that head coach Bill Brown never takes for granted.
“I've done this a long time and it never gets old,” said Brown while standing along the first base line after practice. “The anticipation of opening day and getting on the field to go play, it's really a special time.”
The Patriots suffered a 4-3 loss to Ohio State on opening day last season in Port Charlotte, Florida. Mason led 3-2 going into the bottom of the ninth inning before the Buckeyes plated two runs to earn the win.
Tyler Zombro was solid as the opening day starter a year ago, allowing just two runs on four hits in six innings of work. He also struck out eight Ohio State batters while walking just two. He went on to finish the season with a 7-2 record.
Zombro isn't taking the honor of starting on opening day for the second straight season lightly.
“I want to start off on a good foot and get things rolling, it means a lot to me”, said Zombro on facing the USC Upstate Spartans. Last season, the Patriots scored seven or more runs in five of Zombro's seven victories.
Mason outscored opponents by a combined 52-26 in Zombro's wins, but he also helped his own cause by having great control throughout the season (57K, 15BB) and that has Brown anticipating another solid effort from his hurler.
“Tyler was outstanding for us a year ago. He's going to compete great, he works hard at it and he has three solid pitches. As much as anything, how hard he competes is probably as great an attribute as he has,” Brown said.
The Patriots are a young team, and Brown will have 12 freshmen putting on the Mason uniform for the first time.
“We have to get the nerves out, but that's all part of the process. We're going to get a lot of them an opportunity this weekend to get on the field for the first time and if we are going to be good, they are going to have to help us as we move forward. They're ready to play and they are going to get their opportunity quick”.
Scouting the Opposition:
The Patriots will face sophomore right-hander Blake Whitney on Friday, Feb. 19. He led USC Upstate with 16 appearances in 2015 (3-4, 5.48 ERA, 67.1IP).
The Spartans are 5-3 in season-opening games since the transition to Division 1.
This is the fourth meeting between the two teams, with the Patriots winning two of the first three.
The long wait is over for Patriots baseball fans and also for Brown, who begins his 35th season as the head coach at Mason.
“It's great to get out, the weather is going to be nice and we're excited to get the season started,” Brown said with a smile.
Play Ball!
