Box score (PDF)
 
FAIRFAX, Va. – In the second meeting of the season between the two teams, the Patriots dropped their midweek, nonconference matchup to James Madison, 3-2, on Wednesday afternoon at Spuhler Field.
 
Mason (12-23, 4-5 A-10) sophomore starter Ryan Peterson tossed a season-high seven innings in his fifth start of the season.  He retired 12 of the first 14 batters he faced through four innings.
 
The Patriots took the lead in the bottom of the first against James Madison (20-17, 6-6 CAA) sophomore starter C.J. Czerwinski.
 
Junior center fielder South Trimble led off with a walk.  He then stole second and took advantage of a pair of errors on the play to score the first run of the game.  Trimble went to third when the throw to second sailed into center field and he raced home when the ball rolled past the center fielder to put the Patriots in from, 1-0.
 
The Patriots have scored the first run in four of their last five games.
 
The Dukes took the lead in the top of the fifth.  James Madison started the inning with a bunt single and a walk.  With one out, junior second baseman Nick Zona singled to center to tie the score.  After a pop out, junior first baseman Kyle Novak singled up the middle to give the Dukes a 2-1 lead.
 
James Madison added an insurance run in the top of the eighth against Mason senior reliever Hugh O'Hara when junior right fielder Carson Bell hit a solo home run over the right field fence to make it a 3-1 game.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, Mason rallied against Dukes junior reliever Liam Grubbs.
 
Mason freshman shortstop Carsen Pracht led off with a double, moved to third on a ground out and scored on a wild pitch to make it a one-run game at 3-2, but that would be the last run of the day.
 
For the Patriots, Peterson (1-1) allowed two runs on four hits in 7.0 innings and took the loss.  O'Hara gave up one run and retired two batters in the eighth.  Sophomore Christiam Mracna tossed one scoreless frame, and freshman Jalen Grant recorded the final out of the ninth with two runners on base.
 
For the Dukes, Czerwinski (1-0) allowed one run on four hits in 6.0 innings to earn the win.  Junior Eli Ottinger tossed two scoreless innings, while Grubbs pitched the ninth to notch his second save of the season.
 
Freshman right fielder Brett Ahalt and Pracht each went 2-for-4 in the game.   Senior designated hitter Scott Morgan and graduate student third baseman Danny Hosley each finished 1-for-3 for the Patriots.
 
The Patriots return to Atlantic 10 play this weekend when they welcome Fordham for three games beginning Friday, with the first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. at Spuhler Field.