FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason baseball team began the final homestand of the regular season with a 2-0 win over La Salle in the first game of a three-game series Friday afternoon at Spuhler Field.
Mason (17-31, 6-13 A-10) starter Tyler Zombro kept the Explorers guessing throughout the day, allowing just five hits and only one for extra-bases. The Patriots defense did the rest, turning three double plays in the game.
The Patriots dented the scoreboard against La Salle (14-35, 5-14 A-10) starter Jordan Meyer in the home half of the fourth. Freshman Greg Popatak II reached on a fielder's choice and went to second on a throwing error on a pickoff attempt. Freshman Ryan Tassone then hit his sixth double of the season, with Popatak racing home to give Mason a 1-0 lead.
Mason tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth. Sophomore Garett Driscoll reached on a fielder's choice and scored all the way from first when Popatak doubled to right field to make the score 2-0.
The Patriots have won four of their last six games at Spuhler Field and improved to 13-15 at home this season. Mason has won seven of the last 12 games overall, including three by shutout (2-0 at Radford Apr. 23, 1-0 against Richmond Apr. 30 and 2-0 over La Salle on Friday).
Zombro (4-8) allowed just five hits over 8.0 innings to earn the win. He struck out six and walked only one batter. In his last five starts, Zombro has allowed only six runs on 21 hits with 32 strikeouts and only three walks over 40.0 innings. He has pitched at least seven innings in all five starts. Meyer (2-7) pitched a complete game for La Salle and suffered the loss. He struck out a season-high seven batters in the game.
Freshman Zach Mort tossed a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to pick up his sixth save of the season. Mort has earned a save in each of the Patriots last four victories.
Tassone went 1-for-2 and drove in his 13th run of the season. He has three RBIs in his last three games. Popatak was 1-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored. Driscoll finished 1-for-4 and scored his 22nd run of the season. Freshman Caleb Walls went 1-for-4 and his triple in the third inning was his first extra-base hit of the season.
The middle game of the series is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday morning at Spuhler Field.
