RADFORD, Va. – The George Mason baseball team had the lead twice but fell to the Highlanders 8-7 in the final game of the series on Sunday afternoon at Radford Baseball Stadium.
Mason (13-27, 2-10 A-10) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second against Radford starter Dylan Nelson. Freshman Greg Popatak II walked to start the inning and with one out, sophomore Michael Smith singled to center to put runners on the corners. After freshman Jonathan Hansen walked to load the bases, sophomore Frank Sturek drove in two runs with a two-out single. The Patriots have scored the first run in six straight games.
Radford (11-29, 4-8 Big South) loaded the bases in the home half of the second against Mason starter Brian Marconi, scoring a run on a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 2-1.
The Patriots answered in the top of the third when senior Kent Blackstone led off the inning with a single and with one out, sophomore Trevor Kelly doubled to left-center field, with Blackstone scoring from first to make the score 3-1.
The Highlanders sent eight batters to the plate in the fourth, scoring two runs on two doubles and were helped out by two Mason errors to tie the score 3-3.
The game wasn't tied for long as Mason scored three runs on four hits in the top of the fifth. Sophomore Tyler Nelin led off the inning with a double to left field and Popatak singled to put runners on first and third with only one out. Kelly drove in his second run of the game with a single to put the Patriots in front 4-3. After Smith was hit by a pitch, Hansen delivered with a two-run single up the middle to make the score 6-3.
Radford went in front for the first time in the series in the sixth, scoring four runs on three hits against three Mason relievers to grab a 7-6 lead. Sophomore Luke Wise had the big hit in the inning with a two-run home run over the right field wall. Wise doubled to lead off the eighth and scored on a sacrifice fly to increase the lead to 8-6. It was an insurance run that the Highlanders would need.
In the top of the ninth, Mason put together a two-out rally against reliever Travis McQueen. Popatak kept the game going with a double to right field, bringing Kelly to the plate. On a 1-2 pitch, Kelly drove the ball down the left field line toward the foul pole. It was ruled a home run and it appeared that the Patriots had tied the game.
After the umpiring crew met on the infield, Kelly's home run was overruled and called a foul ball. Kelly then drew a walk and Smith was issued a free pass to load the bases. Hansen walked to force in a run to make the score 8-7. Radford went to the bullpen and Austin Ross recorded a game-ending strikeout.
Marconi allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits in 4.0 innings. Senior Evan Porcella (0-3) allowed one run on one hit in the sixth inning and suffered the loss.
Kelly went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Popatak was 2-for-4 and scored three runs. Hansen finished the day 2-for-3 with three RBIs.
The Patriots are back at Spuhler Field Wednesday, Apr. 27 against Navy. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
