Box Score
Box score
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Junior
Zach Mort struck out 10 batters in a dominant performance on Friday to lead the Patriots to a 6-1 win over Villanova at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee, Fla.
Mason (4-8) sent seven batters to the plate and scored three runs in the top of the first against Villanova (3-7) starter Jonathan Rosero to take a 3-0 lead.
Senior
Trevor Kelly drove in a run with a single, junior
Greg Popatak II doubled in a run and classmate
Bailey Klein drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
The Patriots have scored at least one run in the first inning in three of their last four games.
Mason batted around in the top of the third inning, scoring three runs on one hit, three walks and an error to double the lead.
With the bases loaded, Popatak drove in a run with a RBI-single to make the score 4-0. With one out and the bases loaded, freshman
Scott Morgan walked on four pitches to force in a run to increase the advantage to 5-0. With two outs in the inning, junior
Alejandro Aponte also walked on four pitches to push another run across the plate to make the score 6-0.
While the Patriots scored early, Mort was nearly untouchable throughout the game. He allowed just two baserunners over the first three innings. After allowing a run on two hits in the fourth, Mort then retired 15 of the final 16 batters he faced.
"Zach dominated tonight," Mason head coach
Bill Brown said. "He had fantastic command with his fastball and secondary pitches. We needed a great start from him tonight to start a four-game road trip and he delivered."
The Patriots have outscored opponents by a combined score of 34-14 during their four-game winning streak.
Mort (1-1) allowed just four hits and tied his season high with 10 strikeouts.
Ryan Ricci struck out the side in the ninth.
Popatak went 2-for-5 and drove in two runs, Kelly finished 1-for-3 with a RBI and scored two runs and junior
Ryan Tassone scored twice.
The Patriots are back in action on Saturday when they face Florida International University in Port Charlotte, Fla. The first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
