Box Score

• Zach Mort allowed just two singles in a complete game
• Greg Popatak II hit a pair of solo home runs
• The Patriots improved to 12-5 at Spuhler Field

Box score

FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason junior Zach Mort took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, while classmate Greg Popatak II belted two solo home runs to lead the Patriots to a 2-1 win in the opener of a three-game series against Massachusetts on Friday at Spuhler Field in Fairfax, Va.

Mason (17-22, 8-5 A-10) took the lead in the bottom of the second against UMass (11-20, 4-12 A-10) starter Justin Lasko.

Leading off the inning, Popatak smashed his first home run of the season over the right field fence to put the Patriots in front 1-0.    
 
In the home half of the sixth, Popatak homered to the opposite field, belting his second round tripper of the game over the left field wall to make the score 2-0.

The Patriots have hit 10 of their 15 home runs this season at Spuhler Field.

Mort retired 21 of the first 22 batters he faced in the game, allowing only a walk in the third inning.  He would take a no-hitter into the eighth inning. 

UMass sophomore Justin Voghel was hit by a pitch to lead off the top of the eighth.  After a ground out moved Voghel to second, pinch hitter Andrew Noonan singled up the middle to drive in the lone run of the game for the Minutemen.

Mort (5-2) tossed a complete-game two-hitter to earn the win.  He faced only 29 batters in the game and struck out five with two walks.  Mort recorded 13 ground outs, six fly outs and three pop outs in the game.

Mort improved to 3-1 at home this season.  He has allowed just one run with 26 strikeouts and two walks over 27. 0 innings in his last three starts at Spuhler Field.

Lasko (3-3) allowed two runs on nine hits and took the loss for the Minutemen. 

Popatak went 2-for-2 with two home runs and walked twice.  Senior Tyler Nelin was 2-for-4 with two singles.  The Patriots had at least one baserunner in every inning.

The Patriots and Minutemen continue the series on Saturday, with the first pitch for game two scheduled for 2 p.m. at Spuhler Field.