Box Score Box score

RICHMOND, Va. – George Mason freshman Jared DiCesare pitched 10 scoreless innings, but the Patriots dropped the final game of their three game series against VCU by the final score of 1-0 in 12 innings at The Diamond in Richmond, Va.

Mason (16-22, 7-5 A-10) and VCU (26-14, 10-5 A-10) remained scoreless after 11 innings.

DiCesare was nearly unhittable, allowing just three singles over the first three innings.  He then retired the next 22 batters he faced before turning the game over to senior Ryan Ricci in the 11th inning. 

Rams sophomore starter Sam Ryan also turned in a solid outing, allowing two hits to the Patriots over five innings. 

VCU threatened in the bottom of the 11th when sophomore Steven Carpenter led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. 

The Patriots then flashed the leather in the field.  Second baseman Alejandro Aponte made a catch on a line drive and third baseman Greg Popatak II made a diving play on a grounder to turn the Rams away.

In the 12th, VCU senior Haiden Lamp legged out an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error on the play.  With one out, senior Daane Berezo singled to put runners on the corners.  With the Mason infield and outfield drawn in, Rams sophomore Paul Witt singled to left to dive in the lone run of the game to give VCU the 1-0 walk-off win.

The Patriots fell to 1-2 in games decided in extra innings this season.

DiCesare pitched a career-high 10 innings and struck out seven without a walk in a no-decision.  He threw a first pitch strike to 27 of the 32 batters he faced in the game.  Ricci (3-2) surrendered an unearned run over 1.1 innings and took the loss.

Ryan allowed two hits and struck out a season-high eight batters over 5.0 innings in a no decision for the Rams.  Junior Benjamin Dum tossed four scoreless innings for the Rams, while classmate Mac McCarty (1-0) gave up just one hit over 3.0 innings to earn the win.

Mason senior Trevor Kelly went 2-for-5, junior Ryan Tassone was 1-for-4 with a double and Aponte finished 1-for-3 with a walk to increase his hitting streak to five games.

The Patriots are back in action when they face Maryland on Wednesday in a midweek non-conference game at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium in College Park, Md.  The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.