Box Score (PDF)

RICHMOND, Va. – The Patriots collected 12 hits and doubled up VCU, 10-5, to even the three-game series on Saturday afternoon at The Diamond in Richmond, Va.

Mason scored at least 10 runs in a game for the 11th time this season. 

Senior infielder South Trimble sparked the Patriots offense, finishing a triple shy of the cycle with a two-run home run, two doubles and a single.  He went 4-for-5 with four RBI and three runs scored.  The top four in the Mason batting order combined to go 8-for-19 with seven RBI and five runs scored.

After allowing three runs on five hits in the first inning, Mason sophomore starter Chad Gartland settled down and allowed just four hits from the second through the eighth inning as the Patriots held the Rams off the scoreboard over the last five innings of the game.

Mason (17-18, 4-4 A10) took the lead against VCU (18-17, 4-4 A10) junior starter Justin Humenay in the top of the first.

Trimble led off with a double to left-center and moved to third on a fly out.  Sophomore catcher Connor Dykstra grounded out to shortstop, with Trimble racing home to put the Patriots in front, 1-0.

The Patriots have scored the first runs in five of their last seven games.

In the home half of the first, VCU sent eight batters to the plate and scored three runs on five hits, including four doubles, to take a 3-1 lead.

The Patriots got a run back in the top of the second.  Graduate student designated hitter Ryan Archibald and junior right fielder Derek Wood each walked.  Sophomore first baseman Reece Woody then dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position for senior second baseman Brett Stallings, who drove in a run with a ground out to make it a one-run game, 3-2.

With one out in the top of the third, junior center fielder Jordan Smith drew a walk and with two outs freshman left fielder James Quinn-Irons singled to right to put runners on the corners.  Smith would scramble home on a wild pitch to tie the score, 3-3.

VCU regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth.  With two outs and runners on first and second with a walk and single, senior center fielder A.J. Mathis plated a pair of runs with a triple down the right field line to make it 5-3. 

After the triple, Gartland and junior reliever Christian Mracna combined to retire 15 of the final 19 Rams batters in the game.

The Patriots forged ahead for good in the top of the fifth.

Sophomore shortstop Carsen Pracht led off with a double and Trimble followed with a double to pull the Patriots within a run, 5-4.

The Rams made the call to the bullpen for junior Campbell Ellis, who was greeted by Smith with a single through the left side to put runners on first and third.  Dykstra then knocked in the tying run with a ground out and Quinn-Irons drove in the go-ahead run with a single to right as the Patriots took the lead, 6-5.

Mason added two runs in the top of the sixth.  Wood and Woody both singled and again there were Patriots on the corner bases.  Stallings put down the perfect squeeze bunt, with Wood crossing the plate to increase the lead to 7-5.  With two outs, Trimble delivered a RBI-single to right-center to extend the advantage to 8-5.

In the top of the eighth, after a one-out walk by Pracht, Trimble continued his big day at the plate when he belted a two-run home run over the left field fence to pad the advantage to 10-5.

Trimble has hit two home runs in the last three games.

For the Patriots, Gartland (4-2) allowed five runs on nine hits with six strikeouts and one walk in 8.0 innings to earn the win.  Mracna pitched the ninth and issued two walks but ended the game with a double play ground ball.

For the Rams, Humenay allowed five runs on four hits in 4.0 innings in a no-decision.  Ellis (4-3) surrendered five runs on eight hits in 4.0 innings and took the loss.  Sophomore Nick Fraiser pitched the ninth.

Trimble went 4-for-5 with a home run, four RBI and three runs scored.  Smith was 2-for-4 and scored two runs.  Dykstra and Stallings each drove in two runs in the game.

The Patriots and Rams play the rubber game of the series on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. at The Diamond in Richmond, Va.