Box score (PDF)

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The George Mason baseball team dropped the series opener at UNC Greensboro, 4-2, on Saturday evening at UNCG Baseball Stadium in Greensboro, N.C.

The Patriots (13-20, 1-8 A-10) fell behind UNC Greensboro (21-11, 5-4 SoCon) in the bottom of the first when the Spartans scored a pair of runs against Mason senior starter Brian Marconi.

After a leadoff single, UNC Greensboro junior infielder Caleb Webster drove in a run with a double to right field to put the Spartans in front.  Sophomore first baseman Josh Madole then singled to short, with Webster crossing the plate to give UNC Greensboro a 2-0 lead.

After UNC Greensboro sophomore starter Phillip Sanderson retired the first nine batters he faced in the game, the Patriots broke through in the top of the fourth.

With one out, Mason junior catcher Logan Driscoll and senior outfielder Brady Acker each walked.  After the runners advanced on a groundout, Driscoll raced home on a wild pitch to cut the Spartans advantage in half.

Junior outfielder Bailey Klein then singled up the middle, with Acker scoring to tie the game, 2-2.

In the bottom of the fifth, UNC Greensboro senior infielder Austin Embler led off with a single and Webster followed with a walk.  A sacrifice bunt advanced the runners before the Spartans plated a run with a groundout and another with a RBI-single to take a 4-2 advantage.

The Patriots threatened in the top of the ninth against UNC Greensboro senior closer Chad Sykes. 

With one out, Klein and senior designated hitter Ryan Tassone both singled.  Sophomore infielder Daniel Brooks drew a two-out walk to load the bases before Sykes recorded a strikeout to end the game to preserve the win for the Spartans.

The Patriots were held to five singles and nine total baserunners in the game.  Mason dropped to 1-14 on the road, while UNC Greensboro improved to 18-4 at home.

Marconi (2-5) allowed four runs on nine hits with four strikeouts and two walks in 5.0 innings and took the loss.  Freshman Stuart Barrett struck out two over 3.0 scoreless innings in relief.

Sanderson (4-2) allowed two runs on two hits with six strikeouts and three walks in 6.0 innings to earn the win.  Sykes pitched 2.0 scoreless innings and struck out three to pick up his fifth save of the season for the Spartans.

Senior shortstop Alejandro Aponte and Klein each went 2-for-4, while Tassone was 1-for-4 in the game.

The Patriots and Spartans wrap up the series with a single game on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for noon at UNCG Baseball Stadium in Greensboro, N.C.