RALEIGH, N.C. – The George Mason baseball team fell behind early against N.C. State, with the Wolfpack defeating the Patriots 7-3 on Wednesday at Doak File at Dail Park in Raleigh, N.C.

Mason (6-11) took advantage of four walks in the top of the first inning to take the lead.  N.C. State senior starter Cory Wilder walked the bases loaded before being taken out of the game.  After Wolfpack reliever Evan Brabrand entered the game, he walked junior Tyler Nelin with two outs, forcing in sophomore Michael Smith from third to give Mason a 1-0 advantage.

N.C. State (10-8) took control of the game in the home half of the inning, sending 10 batters to the plate against Mason starter Bryce Nightengale.  The Wolfpack scored five runs on four hits, including a grand slam by junior Joe Dunand to take a 5-1 lead.

The Patriots have allowed at least one run in the first inning in each of their last seven games.

In the bottom of the second, the Wolfpack put runners on first and second with back-to-back singles and with two outs, sophomore Christian Demby singled to left to drive in a run and make the score 6-1. 

Patriot's sophomore left-hander Timothy Turner then took over on the mound, replacing Nightengale.  After walking the first batter he faced to load the bases, Turner recorded a strikeout to end the inning.

Mason put a dent in the N.C. State lead in the top of the fourth.  With one out, sophomore Alejandro Aponte singled to left and freshman John Callahan followed with a two-run home run over the left field fence to make it a 6-3 game.  For Callahan, it was his first collegiate home run.

The Patriots have had eight players hit at least one home run so far this season.

N.C. State took advantage of two walks, two stolen bases and an error by the Patriots to add an unearned run in the fifth inning to increase the lead to 7-3.

Senior Tyler Kardas entered the game in the sixth and retired the Wolfpack in order for the first time in the contest.  He allowed just one baserunner in his outing.

The Wolfpack scored six runs and collected all seven of their hits in the game in the first two innings.

Callahan went 1-for-3 with his first NCAA home run and two RBI.  Smith was 1-for-4 with a walk and scored a run.  He leads Mason with 19 runs scored this season.  Nelin drove in his 17th run of the season with his first inning walk.  Sophomore Greg Popatak II finished 1-for-5 with his first triple of the season. 

Nightengale (0-2) allowed six runs on seven hits in 1.2 innings.  Turner surrendered one unearned run over 3.1 innings and retired 10 of the 13 batters he faced.  Kardas pitched three scoreless innings and allowed just one baserunner.  Mason held N.C. State without a hit over the final six innings of the game.

The Patriots are back in action when they begin a three-game series against Canisius on Friday at Spuhler Field with the first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m.