BASEBALL at Winthrop
WHEN:  Friday, Feb. 22 (3 p.m.) | Saturday, Feb. 23 (3 p.m.) | Sunday, Feb. 24 (1 p.m.)
WHERE:  The Winthrop Ballpark | Rock Hill, S.C.
RECORDS:  Mason (3-0), Winthrop (1-3)
LISTEN | LIVE STATS

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Rock Hill, S.C. – The George Mason baseball team is on the road to open a three-game series against Winthrop on Friday, with the first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. at Winthrop Ballpark in Rock Hill, S.C.

In the first weekend of the season, Mason (3-0) posted a 7-2 win over Iowa, a 9-4 victory over Marshall and a 12-5 win against Villanova at the Sunshine State Challenge in Kissimmee, Fla.

The Patriots have started 3-0 for the first time since the 2014 season, the programs first in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Mason has scored the first run in each of its first three games, while scoring 10 runs in the first inning over the last two contests.

Last time out, the Patriots jumped out to a 4-0 first-inning lead over Villanova on the way to a 12-5 victory on Sunday at the Osceola County Stadium complex.

Senior Brian Marconi (1-0, 3.60) allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits with one strikeout over five innings to earn the win.

Senior third baseman Greg Popatak II went 2-for-3 with three walks, two RBI and a run scored.  He has driven in seven runs over the first three games.

Redshirt senior outfielder Brady Acker walked three times and scored three runs against the Wildcats.  He has walked seven times in three games. 

Redshirt sophomore designated hitter Aaron Yurko was 1-for-3 with three walks and drove in four runs.

Every player in the Mason lineup reached base at least once in the win over Villanova.

Over the first three games, the Patriots have scored 28 runs and allowed only 11 against. 

Mason starters have gone at least five innings in every game.  Junior Jared DiCesare (1-0, 3.00) allowed two runs on six hits over six innings in the win over Iowa, while freshman Nick Zegna (1-0, 1.20) tossed five scoreless frames in the victory over Marshall.

Mason has faced Winthrop just once in program history.

SCOUTING REPORT

Winthrop finished the 2018 season with an overall record of 25-31, including a mark of 15-12 against Big South opponents.  The Eagles went 17-9 at home, 7-20 on the road and 1-2 in games played at a neutral site.

In the 2018 Big South Championship tournament, Winthrop earned a 7-4 win over eighth-seed Longwood before being eliminated by fifth-seeded Gardner-Webb, 5-4, in Lynchburg, Va.

The Eagles have had a lead in all four of their games but are off to a 1-3 start in 2019.

Winthrop dropped two-of-three in its season-opening homestand against Toledo.  The Eagles fell 5-4 to the Rockets on opening day on Feb. 15.  The two teams then split a doubleheader on Feb. 16, with the Eagles winning the first game, 17-3 before dropping the nightcap, 8-7.

Last time out, Winthrop built a 6-0 lead in the top of the third over South Carolina but the Gamecocks rallied for an 8-6 victory on Tuesday at Founders Park in Columbia, S.C. 

Junior Tyler Baker is batting .462 and leads the team with two home runs.  He is second on the club with four RBI.

Senior Brandon Fite is also hitting .462 and has registered the lone triple of the season for the Eagles.

Senior Matthew Mulkey is hitting .278 with five RBI and seven runs scored, while classmate Hunter Lipscomb has a .273 average and five RBI.

PROBABLE STARTERS

Friday:  RHP Jared DiCesare vs. RHP Zach Peek
Saturday:  RHP Nick Zegna vs. RHP Nate Pawelczyk
Sunday:  LHP Brian Marconi vs. LHP Thad Harris