Box score (PDF)

FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason baseball team dropped the middle game of its Atlantic 10 series to VCU, 9-2, on Saturday afternoon at Spuhler Field.

Mason freshman center fielder Alex Knapp hit his first collegiate home run in the seventh inning, and senior first baseman Scott Morgan hit his second home run of the season in the eighth to account for the Patriots runs.

Mason (9-16, 1-1 A-10) fell behind VCU (14-11, 1-1 A-10) when the Rams scored a pair of runs in the first inning against graduate student starter Ben Shields.

VCU sophomore third baseman Tyler Locklear drove in a run with a ground out, and sophomore shortstop Connor Hujsak plated a run with a double to left field to put the Rams in front 2-0.

The Patriots have allowed the first run in seven of their last 10 games.

Rams sophomore starter Tyler Davis allowed just three singles over six scoreless innings.  It was the longest outing for a VCU starting pitcher this season.

VCA broke the game open in the top of the seventh against Mason relievers Ryan Peterson and Britt Yount.

The Rams sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six runs on six hits to make the score 8-0.  Sophomore second baseman Ben Nippolt and Locklear each drove in two runs in the inning.

VCU tacked on a run in the top of the ninth against Mason senior Hugh O'Hara for the 9-2 final score.

For the Patriots, Shields (0-2) allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits with six strikeouts in 4.0 innings and took the loss.  Peterson gave up six runs, five earned, on seven hits in 2.1 innings.  Yount didn't allow a hit in 1.2 innings, and O'Hara gave up one run on one hit in the ninth.

For the Rams, Davis (2-2) tossed six scoreless innings and struck out five in 6.0 innings to earn the win.  Junior Evan Chenier allowed two runs on three hits in 2.0 innings, while freshman Cade Dressler pitched a hitless ninth.

The Patriots and Rams wrap up the series on Sunday afternoon with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. at Spuhler Field.