FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason baseball team will venture into Atlantic 10 Conference play for the first time this season Friday, March 25 hosting Rhode Island in the first of a three-game series at Spuhler Field.
The Patriots (6-15) scored 16 runs on a season-high 16 hits in a 16-5 win at James Madison Wednesday to earn their first road win of the season. Sophomore Timothy Turner went 3-for-5 with three RBI and scored three runs. Freshman Greg Popatak II and sophomore Trevor Kelly each had three hits in the game and Jonathan Hansen drove in four runs for the second straight game.
Mason is 5-9 at home this season, with three of the five wins by a single run.
The Patriots were 12-12 against A-10 foes last season. Michael Smith led the way at the plate, hitting .321 (26-for-81) in his 21 conference games. Tyler Zombro went 4-1 in eight starts against conference opponents a year ago with a 4.18 ERA. He allowed just 22 earned runs in 51 innings of work, striking out 30 and walking only eight batters.
SCOUTING REPORT
Rhode Island (6-10) was predicted to finish third behind St. Louis and VCU in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll. Last season the Rams finished third in the conference with a 15-9 record. St. Louis finished first in the conference with Richmond in second place.
The Rams enter the weekend series against Mason 5-9 on the road and 1-1 in neutral site games this season. Rhode Island has yet to play a home game.
The Rams have lost two straight games, falling in the series finale at Towson 7-1 and suffering a 5-3 setback at Penn State on Wednesday. The Nittany Lions outhit the Rams 12-5 in the win. Rhode Island has been held to four runs or fewer in seven of its 10 losses.
At the plate the Rams are led by sophomore Jordan Powell (.344, 9 RBI), junior Martin Figueroa (.328, 2 HR, 13 RBI) and senior Chase Livingston (.300, 2 HR, 7 RBI).
PROBABLE STARTERS
RHP Tyler Zombro (1-3, 5.76) looks to make his sixth start of the season for Mason. He has struck out 24 batters in 29.2 innings of work. RHP Tyler Wilson (3-1, 5.93) is slated to make his sixth start of the season for Rhode Island.
The first pitch Friday is scheduled for 3 p.m., game two of the series is 2 p.m. on Saturday and the finale is Sunday with a 1 p.m. first pitch from Spuhler Field.
