Box score (PDF)

MIAMI, Fla. – The George Mason baseball team began the 2023 season with an Opening Day victory over Florida International, 8-2, on Friday night at FIU Baseball Stadium in Miami, Fla.

Graduate student starter Ben Shields struck out nine batters over five innings and allowed just one run and two hits in a strong outing.
 
Freshman left fielder James Quinn-Irons had three hits, including a solo home run, and drove in two runs in his collegiate debut.  In his Mason debut, graduate student Ryan Archibald connected for a pinch-hit, three-run home run.

After two scoreless innings, Mason (1-0) took the lead in the top of the third against Golden Panthers junior starter Ryan Cabarcas.

Sophomore shortstop Carsen Pracht led off the inning with a walk and with one out, junior right fielder Derek Wood went all the way to third on an error, with Pracht scoring on the play to put the Patriots in front, 1-0.

Wood then raced home on a wild pitch to make it a 2-0 game.

The Golden Panthers responded in the home half of the fourth when senior center fielder Alec Sanchez hit a leadoff home run to cut the lead to 2-1.  That would be the lone run surrendered by Shields in the outing.

In the top of the sixth, Quinn-Irons smashed a two-out, solo home run over the left field fence off FIU senior Evan Chenier to increase the Mason lead, 3-1.

The Patriots sent nine batters to the plate and scored five runs on six hits in the top of the eighth inning against FIU senior C.J. McKennitt.

With two outs, Mason collected five straight hits. 

Sophomore catcher Connor Dykstra and junior third baseman Mark Trotta each singled to put runners on first and second.  Quinn-Irons then drove in his second run of the game with a single through the left side, with Dykstra crossing the plate to make it 4-1.

Senior second baseman Brett Stallings followed with a single down the left field line, with Trotta scrambling home to extend the advantage to 5-1.

Archibald padded the lead with one swing in his first at-bat with the Patriots.  He launched a three-run homer over the right field wall and Mason was in control, 8-1.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Golden Panthers got a run back on a pinch-hit, solo home run by senior Mike Rosario, but FIU would get no closer.

For the Patriots, Shields (1-0) allowed one run on two hits and struck out nine without a walk over 5.0 innings. 

Junior Kyle Menaker worked 3.0 innings in his Mason debut and allowed one run on one hit with three strikeouts and no walks.  Freshman Connor Knox retired all three batters in the ninth in his collegiate debut.

Quinn-Irons went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.  Senior first baseman South Trimble finished 2-for-4 with a double and single.

Evan Blanchard, Brady Powell, Quinn-Irons and Knox made their NCAA debuts.  Archebald, Trotta, Wood and Menaker made their first appearance in a Mason uniform.

The Patriots and Golden Panthers play the middle game of the series on Saturday, with the first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m. at FIU Baseball Stadium.