Box score
 
FAIRFAX, Va. – The Patriots scored nine runs in the eighth inning to take control of the game on the way to an 11-5 victory over Monmouth in the first game of the weekend series on Friday afternoon at Spuhler Field.
 
Mason (4-5) senior starter Jared Lyons and Monmouth (4-4) junior starter Trey Dombrowski each allowed just one hit over the first four innings as the game remained scoreless.
 
In the top of the fifth, Hawks junior first baseman Joey Ventresca singled and went to third on a single by sophomore left fielder Chris Andrews.  Junior catcher Brady Mutz then plated in Ventresca with a sacrifice fly to put the Hawks in front, 1-0.
 
The Patriots responded in the home half of the fifth.
 
Freshman catcher Connor Dykstra singled with one out.  After a strikeout, sophomore second baseman Brett Stallings singled to right field to put runners on the corners. 
 
Freshman Alex Knapp followed with a two-run double down the left field line, driving in his first two collegiate runs, to give the Patriots a 2-1 lead.
 
In the top of the eighth, the Hawks put runners on first and third with a walk and a single.  Sophomore shortstop Dixon Black knocked in the game-tying run with a ground out to third to make it a 2-2 game.
 
Mason sent 14 batters to the plate and scored nine runs on five hits and six walks, and stole five bases in the inning, to take control of the game in the bottom of the eighth.
 
Hawks' senior reliever Michael Dimino retired the first batter of the inning before Mason junior first baseman South Trimble walked and freshman shortstop Carsen Pracht singled to put runners on first and third.
 
After a pitching change, Trimble raced home on a wild pitch by Hawks senior reliever Mason Miller to give the Patriots a 3-2 advantage.
 
Mason loaded the bases after walks by graduate student third baseman Danny Hosley and freshman designated hitter Tyler Cotten.  Dykstra then forced in a run with a walk and freshman center fielder Brett Ahalt drove in a run with a single to extend the advantage to 5-2.
 
Stallings ripped a two-run single to left field, with Dyksta and Cotten rumbling home to make it 7-2.  Ahalt stole third, and after the third Monmouth pitching change in the inning, scored on a throwing error to pad the lead to 8-2.
 
Trimble doubled to left field to drive in a pair of runs, and Hosley knocked in a run with a single to make it 11-2.
 
Monmouth scored three runs in the top of the ninth on a three-run home run for the 11-5 final score.
 
For the Patriots, Lyons (2-0) allowed two runs on four hits, and struck out six with three walks in eight innings to earn the win.  Senior Mason Posey pitched the ninth and gave up three runs on two hits.
 
For the Hawks, Dombrowski allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings in the no-decision.  Dimino gave up two runs on one hit and retired one batter in the eighth.  Miller (1-1) also retired just one batter in the eighth and surrendered six runs on two hits with four walks and took the loss.
 
Trimble went 2-for-3 with two walks, two RBI and two runs scored.  Stallings finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.  Knapp doubled in his first two collegiate RBI.
 
The Patriots and Hawks continue the series on Saturday, with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.