Box Score
Box score
ARLINGTON, Va. – George Mason junior
Greg Popatak II had three hits and drove in three runs, while junior
Bryce Nightengale and senior
Ryan Ricci combined for a six-hit shutout in Mason's 4-0 win over third-seeded Fordham on Thursday at Tucker Field at Barcroft Park in Arlington, Va.
With the victory, the Patriots advanced to the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship for the second time in program history.
Mason (28-25) took the lead in the bottom of the first inning against Fordham starter Anthony DiMeglio.
The Patriots loaded the bases with one out when junior
Brady Acker singled, sophomore
Logan Driscoll walked and senior
Trevor Kelly reached on an error. Popatak came to the plate and smashed a bases-clearing double to right-center to put the Patriots in front 3-0.
DiMeglio settled down and retired 16 of the next 17 batters he faced, allowing only a walk to senior
Michael Smith in the fourth inning.
With two outs in the sixth, the Patriots tacked on a run when Popatak doubled to left and Smith followed with a RBI-single through the right side to increase the lead 4-0.
The Rams threatened in the seventh when they loaded the bases with two outs. Ricci entered the game and recorded the final out of the inning when he got Rams freshman Jake MacKenzie to pop out to second.
The Patriots recorded their sixth shutout of the season. Mason has won six straight and 11 of the last 13 games.
Nightengale (6-6) scattered five singles and struck out five over 6.2 innings of work to earn the win. Ricci gave up just one hit over 2.1 innings to pick up his third save of the season.
DiMeglio (8-3) surrendered four runs, three earned, on six hits over a career-high 8.0 innings and took the loss. He recorded the first complete game of his collegiate career.
Popatak went 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI and scored a run. He has eight RBI in his last five games. Smith was 1-for-3 and drove in a run. He has at least one hit in each of the last five games. Acker, Driscoll and Kelly each scored a run for the Patriots.
The Patriots will play in the semifinals on Friday against No. 1 Saint Louis, with the first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m. at Barcroft Field.
