Box score (PDF)

KINGSTON, R.I. – Redshirt freshman Konner Eaton, junior Christian Mracna and graduate students Mason Posey and Nolan Lamere combined on a one-hitter in the Patriots 5-0 win over Rhode Island on Sunday at Bill Beck Field in Kingston, R.I.

Mason pitchers combined to face one batter over the minimum in the game to notch the Patriots first shutout of the season. 

The Patriots took two of three games to win their first Atlantic 10 series of the season.

Mason (14-12, 2-1) took the lead over Rhode Island (9-14, 1-2) in the top of the second inning against Rams freshman starting pitcher Braden Perry.

With two outs, junior right fielder Derek Wood singled and stole second.  Senior second baseman Brett Stallings then drove in his team-leading 24th run of the season with a single to right field to put the Patriots in front, 1-0.

That would be all the offense the Patriots would need.

Mason sent eight batters to the plate in the top of the sixth against junior Zach French and classmate Broc Fernandez.

Wood started the rally with a one-out single and with two outs, sophomore shortstop Carsen Pracht singled to put runners on first and second. 

Senior third baseman South Trimble drew his second walk of the game to load the bases for freshman left fielder Reece Woody, who ripped a bases-clearing double to left field to increase the lead to 4-0.

After a pitching change, junior center fielder Jordan Smith tripled down the right field line with Woody racing home from second to make the score 5-0.

Eaton allowed just one hit and four baserunners in his outing before turning the game over to Mracna in the fifth inning.  Mracna didn't allow a hit in his outing.  Posey took over with two runners on base and one out in the bottom of the seventh and recorded the final two outs with a strike out and fly out.  Lamere tossed two hitless innings in his fourth appearance of the season.

For the Patriots, Eaton gave up just one hit and struck out five over 4.0 innings in a no-decision.  Mracna (1-0) went 2.1 innings with three strikeouts to earn his first win of the season, Posey retired two batters in the seventh and Lamere tossed 2.0 hitless innings to close out the game.

For the Rams, Perry (2-3) allowed one run on four hits in 4.2 innings and took the loss.  French surrendered four runs on three hits in 1.0 inning and Fernandez gave up one hit in 3.1 innings.

Woody went 2-for-4 with three RBI and scored a run.  Smith and Stallings each finished 1-for-4 and drove in a run.  Wood finished 1-for-2 with a walk and scored two runs.

The Patriots finish their road stretch with a pair of midweek games.  Mason takes on Georgetown on Tuesday with the first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. in Washington, D.C. and then travels to face Towson on Wednesday with the first pitch slated for 3 p.m. in Towson, Md.