Game One Box score (PDF)
Game Two Box score (PDF)

FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason baseball team dropped both games of its doubleheader to Niagara, 8-4 in game one and 7-2 in the series finale, on Sunday at Spuhler Field in Fairfax, Va.

GAME ONE

Niagara (3-3) took the lead in the first inning against Mason (4-6) senior starter Ryan Peterson.  With one out, junior shortstop Kelly Corl doubled to left-center and graduate student third baseman Cole Tucker followed with a RBI-single through the left side to put the Purple Eagles in front, 1-0.

The Patriots responded in the bottom of the first against Niagara senior starter Blake MacMillan.  Senior first baseman South Trimble went to second on an error to start the frame and second baseman Brett Stallings singled to right to put runners on the corners.

With one out, freshman James Quinn-Irons ripped a two-run single up the middle to give the Patriots the lead, 2-1.

Mason extended the lead in the home half of the second.  Freshman third baseman Evan Blanchard led off with a single and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore shortstop Carsen Pracht.  After Trimble was hit by a pitch, Stallings singled through the left side of the infield to knock in Blanchard to make it a 3-1 game.

Peterson was forced to left the game with two outs in the third and the Patriots summoned junior Nick Martins from the bullpen.

After two scoreless innings, Niagara sent eight batters to the plate in the top of the fifth and took the lead for good. 

The Purple Eagles loaded the bases with a double, single and a walk.  Mason freshman Connor Knox took over on the mound and retired the first batter he faced before Tucker knocked in a pair of runs with a single to even the score, 3-3.

With runners on second and third, Niagara freshman center fielder Nick Groves scrambled home on a wild pitch to put the Purple Eagles ahead, 4-3.

Niagara added four runs in the top of the ninth against Patriots graduate student Mason Posey.  Niagara graduate student Max Giordano had the big hit with a three-run home run to left to make it 8-3.

Pracht belted his first home run of the season in the bottom of the ninth to account for the final run of the game.

For the Patriots, Peterson allowed one run on two hits in 2.2 innings before leaving the game.  Martins gave up three runs on two hits in 1.1 innings.  Knox tossed 2.0 scoreless innings and Posey surrendered four runs on two hits in 3.0 innings.

For the Purple Eagles, MacMillan allowed three runs on six hits in 4.0 innings.  Senior Steven Hospital (1-1) faced three batters in the fifth and picked up the win.  Senior Zach Cameron pitched the last 4.0 innings and gave up one run on one hit.

Pracht went 2-for-2 with a home run and a walk, Stallings was 2-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored and Quinn-Irons finished 1-for-4 with one RBI.

GAME TWO (7 INNINGS)

Mason sophomore Konner Eaton made the start and pitched the first inning before turning the game over to sophomore Britt Yount.

The game was scoreless through two innings before Niagara plated the first runs of the game in the top of the third. 

After a leadoff double, two fly outs and a hit by pitch Niagara had runners on first and second with two down.  Junior catcher Matt Ward delivered with a single to center to put the Purple Eagles in front to stay, 2-0.

In the top of the fifth, Niagara added a run off Mason junior Christian Mracna.  The first two batters reached base with a single and a walk before moving into scoring position on a ground out.  Freshman pinch Hitter Gavin Schrader lifted a sacrifice fly to left to make it 3-0.

The Patriots dented the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth.  Back-to-back one-out singles by Stallings and freshman Brady Powell then Dykstra was hit by a pitch with two away.  Junior pinch hitter Mark Trotta drew a walk to force a run home.

Niagara batted around in the top of the seventh and scored four runs on three hits and three walks for a 7-1 advantage. 

In the bottom of the ninth, Trimble singled and moved to second on a ground out before Quinn-Irons drove in a run with a single for the final run of the day.

For the Patriots, Eaton pitched the first inning with two strikeouts and three walks.  Yount (0-1) allowed two runs on four hits in 2.0 innings and took the loss.  Mracna gave up one run on three hits in 2.0 innings.  Junior Kyle Menaker allowed three runs on three hits in 1.1 innings.  Freshman Michael Salina gave up one run on one hit and retired two batters.

For the Purple Eagles, senior Marcus Cashman (2-0) scattered four hits over 5.0 scoreless innings to earn the win.  Senior Zach Cameron and graduate student Tommy Bednarski each allowed one run on two hits in 1.0 inning of work.

Trimble went 3-for-4 and scored a run and Powell finished 2-for-4 with a pair of singles.

The Patriots continue their homestand against Georgetown on Tuesday afternoon with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. at Spuhler Field.