Game One Box Score (PDF)
Game Two Box Score (PDF)

FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason baseball team split a doubleheader against Richmond with a 4-3 win in the first game before falling 7-0 in the nightcap on Saturday at Spuhler Field in Fairfax, Va.

Graduate student starter Ben Shields earned his sixth victory of the season in game one, while sophomore Chad Gartland picked up his first save of the season.

Five of the Patriots last 10 home games have been decided by one run.

In the second game, Patriots junior center fielder Jordan Smith ended the Spiders no-hit bid with a one-out single in the ninth.

GAME ONE

Mason (21-20, 7-6 A10) fell behind Richmond (18-23, 7-6 A10) in the top of the second.  Spiders graduate student right fielder Christian Beal singled to right-center with one out.  With two outs, sophomore first baseman Jake Elbeery beat out an infield single and Beal scored on a throwing error to put the Spiders in front, 1-0.

Shields then tossed three scoreless innings from the third through the fifth.

The Patriots took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth with three runs on five hits against Richmond graduate student starter Brock Weirather and sophomore reliever Esteban Rodriguez.

Sophomore first baseman Reece Woody put Mason on the board with his third home run of the season, a lead-off blast over the right field fence to make it a 1-1 game.

Senior designated hitter Craig Miles, Jr. then singled, moved to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by senior second baseman Brett Stallings.  Sophomore shortstop Carsen Pracht knocked in a run with a bunt single to give the Patriots a 2-1 lead.

After senior third baseman South Trimble singled to put runners on the corners, the Spiders summoned Rodriguez from the bullpen.

Junior right fielder Derek Wood dropped down a bunt single, with Pracht scrambling home to extend the advantage to 3-1.

The teams traded runs in the sixth.

Richmond junior center fielder Alden Mathes led off with a double to right and scored on a single by junior catcher Jason Neff to make it a one-run game at 3-2.  Gartland entered the game and ended the Spiders threat.

In the home half of the sixth, Mason freshman left fielder James Quinn-Irons led off with a walk, moved to second on a ground out and scored when Miles singled through the left side of the infield for a 4-2 lead.

In the top of the ninth, the Spiders loaded the bases and with two outs, the Spiders plated a run on an infield single by Jason Neff to cut the lead to 4-3 before Gartland got Beal to foul out to the first baseman to end the game.

For the Patriots, Shields (6-2) allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits with 10 strikeouts and just two walks in 5.0 innings to earn the win.  Gartland gave up one run on seven hits in 4.0 innings to pick up the save.

For the Spiders, Weirather (4-3) allowed three runs on five hits in 4.1 innings and took the loss.  Rodriguez gave up one run on two hits in 3.2 innings of work.

Miles went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored, Trimble finished 2-for-4 and Woody went 1-for-3 with a solo home run.

GAME TWO

Mason (21-21, 7-7 A10) redshirt freshman Konner Eaton and Richmond (19-23, 8-6 A10) junior Jeremy Neff each tossed four scoreless innings to start the game.

The Spiders took the lead in the top of the fifth against Eaton and graduate student Kyle Smith with five runs on three hits and two walks.

Senior left fielder Johnny Hipsman drove in two runs with a triple and freshman Jordan Jaffe hit a two-run home run.

Neff didn't allow a hit in his outing before turning the game over to graduate student Kyle Subers in the seventh.

In the top of the seventh, Richmond added two unearned runs against Mason freshman Owen Stewart to make it a 7-0 game.

With a runner on first and one out in the bottom of the ninth, Jordan Smith singled to left to break up the no-hitter.

For the Patriots, Eaton (1-3) allowed three runs on two hits in 4.1 innings and took the loss.  Kyle Smith gave up two runs on four hits in 1.2 innings.  Stewart allowed two unearned runs and retired two batters in his outing.  The Patriots used eight pitchers in the game.

For the Spiders, Neff (3-0) tossed 6.0 innings of no-hit ball to earn the win.  Subers gave up one hit in 3.0 innings and picked up his first save of the season.

The Patriots and Spiders are schedule to wrap up the series on Sunday with the first pitch slated for 1 p.m. at Spuhler Field.