FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason baseball team was shutout for the first time this season, falling 1-0 to Cal State Northridge on Thursday afternoon at Spuhler Field. Matador's senior right-hander Angel Rodriguez tossed a complete-game three-hitter.
In a game where there were no extra-base hits by either team, Mason freshman left-hander Brian Marconi had a strong performance allowing just three singles. The Matadors had just five singles on the day against four Patriots pitchers.
Cal State Northridge threatened in the fourth inning. A leadoff single and a two-out walk put runners on first and second. A double steal moved both runners into scoring position, but Marconi was able to work his way out of the jam with a ground out to keep the game scoreless.
The Matadors were able to get a runner to third base in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings but were turned away by the Patriots. Cal State Northridge was aggressive on the base paths all day, stealing a total of six bases in the game.
The Matadors scored the only run of the game in the top of the eighth inning to take a 1-0 lead. Senior Branden Berry singled to center with one out and after a fly out to left, Mason sophomore pitcher Ryan Ricci looked like he was going to escape the inning without any damage.
A throwing error by freshmen Jonathan Hansen allowed Nolan Bumstead to reach base with two outs. With runners on second and third, Ricci threw a wild pitch that got away from sophomore catcher Tyler Nelin, with Berry crossing the plate for the only run of the game.
Cal State Northridge (6-3) has won all three of its road games this season.
Marconi (0-0) allowed no runs and just three singles over five innings in the no-decision. Freshmen Tim Quinn and Zach Mort combined to pitch three scoreless innings. Ricci (0-1) gave up one run on one hit and suffered the loss.
Greg Popatak II, Ryan Tassone, and Nelin had the only hits for the Patriots, who fell to 1-6 on the season.
Rodriguez (1-0) surrendered only three singles in the complete-game win and at one point retired 12 Mason hitters in a row. He tossed 123 pitches in the game and struck out a career-high 12 batters, recording at least one strikeout every inning. Mason was never able to get a runner past second base in the game.
The Patriots are scheduled to begin a three-game series against Bryant on Friday, March 4th at Spuhler Field with the first pitch slated for 2:30 p.m.
