Box score (PDF)
AMHERST, Mass. – Graduate student starter Ben Shields and senior reliever Jared Lyons combined on a four-hitter to lead the Patriots to an 8-0 shutout victory over Massachusetts on Saturday afternoon at Earl Lorden Field in Amherst, Mass.

Shields and Lyons faced just two batters over the minimum in the game as the Patriots evened their series against the Minutemen.

Shields allowed just two singles and struck out a season-high seven batters over five innings to even his record at 2-2, while Lyons surrendered only two singles in four innings of work to earn his second career save and first since the 2019 season.

Mason (15-26, 7-7 A-10) took the lead in the first inning against UMass (19-17.1, 7-7 A-10) when junior starter Zack Given had control issues.

With one out, freshman shortstop Carsen Pracht walked and sophomore center fielder Jordan Smith followed with a double to put two runners in scoring position.  With two outs, the next four Mason batters reached base without putting the ball in play.

After freshman right fielder Brett Ahalt was issued a free pass to load the bases, graduate student left fielder Kamron Smith was hit by a pitch to force in the first run of the game.  Freshman catcher Connor Dykstra was also hit by a pitch to plate a run, and junior designated hitter Craig Miles, Jr. walked to force in another to put the Patriots in front, 3-0.

The Patriots have scored at least one run in the first inning in five straight games and eight of their last 11.

With one out in the top of the second inning, five Patriots in a row reached base.  Pracht began the rally when he singled to left field, while Jordan Smith and Hosley each walked to load the bases again.

Ahalt followed and ripped a base-clearing double down the right field line to make it a 6-0 game.  After Ahalt stole third, Kamron Smith singled up the middle, with Ahalt cruising home to extend the advantage to 7-0.

The Minutemen made a pitching change to start the top of the third and summoned senior Jack Steele from the bullpen.

Mason junior second baseman Brett Stallings led off the inning with a single and with one out, Pracht and Jordan Smith each drew a walk to put a Patriot on every base for the third straight inning.  Hosley then drove in Stallings from third base with the final run of the game with a sacrifice fly to make the score 8-0.

The Patriots have scored 16 runs in the two games in the series, with 14 runs in the first four innings.

For the Patriots, Shields (2-2) allowed two singles and five total baserunners in 5.0 innings to earn the win.  He struck out seven and walked three.  Lyons gave up just two singles and four total baserunners in 4.0 innings to pick up the save.

For the Minutemen, Given (0-3) surrendered seven runs on four hits in 2.0 innings and took the loss.  Steele allowed one run on four hits in 6.0 innings and sophomore Ben Chrzanowski pitched a scoreless ninth.

Ahalt went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored and Kamron Smith was 2-for-4 with two RBI.  Dykstra, Hosley and Stallings each drove in a run, while Jordan Smith and Pracht each scored two runs in the game.

The Patriots and Minutemen will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m. at Earl Lorden Field.