Box Score (PDF)

TOWSON, Md. – The Patriots took a five-run lead into the bottom of the ninth inning but fell to Towson, 10-8, on Wednesday at John Schuerholz Park in Towson, Md.

Mason (15-14, 2-1 A10) junior starter Nick Martins and Towson junior starter Justin Rebok went pitch-for-pitch over three scoreless innings to start the game.

Mason took the lead in the top of the fourth.  Senior third baseman South Trimble scratched out an infield single, moved to second on a balk and went to third on a ground out.  With two outs, junior first baseman Mark Trotta beat out an infield single with Trimble racing home to put the Patriots in front, 1-0.

In the home half of the fourth, Tigers senior first baseman Reyce Curnane led off with a home run to right-center to even the score.

Towson senior left fielder Elijah Dickerson hit a one-out, solo home run to right-center in the bottom of the fifth to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead.

The Patriots scored seven runs over the final four innings to build a five-run advantage.

In the top of the sixth, sophomore shortstop Carsen Pracht led off with a double to left-center and Trimble followed with a RBI-triple to right-center to make it a 2-2 game.

Towson made the call to the bullpen for sophomore Max Simpson and Patriots right fielder Craig Miles, Jr. knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly to give the Patriots a 3-2 lead,

The Tigers got the run back in the bottom of the sixth with an unearned run against Patriots reliever Mason Posey.  After an infielder single and an error put a runner in scoring position and with two outs, Tigers sophomore designated hitter Bobby Spencer drove in a run with a single up the middle to tie the score, 3-3.

In the top of the seventh, sophomore center fielder Alex Knapp and freshman catcher Bennett Shealor each singled and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Pracht.  Trimble plated a run with a ground out to make it 4-3.

An inning later, Trotta doubled and scored on a two-out RBI-double by freshman designated hitter Brady Powell against Towson junior reliever Luis Rivera in the top of the eighth for a Patriots two-run lead at 5-3.

In the top of the ninth, Mason sent eight batters to the plate and scored three runs on three hits against Towson graduate student Cam Clark.

Shealor led off with an infield single and stole second, Trimble walked and Miles collected an infield single to load the bases.
 
Sophomore left fielder Reece Woody then doubled down the left field line to drive in a pair of runs to extend the lead to 7-3. 

Tigers junior Andalo Santangelo took over on the mound and after getting the second out of the inning on a fielder's choice, Woody would scramble home on a wild pitch to make it 8-3.

The Tigers rallied in the bottom of the ninth for seven runs on four hits against three Mason pitchers.  With three runs in and the bases loaded, Tigers junior third baseman Bryce Frederick hit a grand slam over the left field fence to lift Towson to the walk-off 10-8 win.

For the Patriots, Martins allowed two runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings.  Posey gave up an unearned run and two hits in 1.1 innings.  Freshman Owen Stewart surrendered three runs on two hits in 2.1 innings.  Freshman Tyler Herkey (1-3) allowed three runs on one hit in the ninth and took the loss.  Sophomore Britt Yount faced one batter in the ninth and gave up one run on one hit.

For the Hoyas, Rebok allowed three runs on four hits in 5.0 innings.  Simpson gave up two runs on five hits in 2.2 innings.  Rivera faced two batters in the eighth, Clark surrendered three runs on three hits and retired one batter in the ninth and Santangelo recorded the final two outs of the game.

Trimble went 2-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored.  Woody was 2-for-5 with two RBI and one run scored.  Trotta finished 3-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored.  Powell and Miles each drove in a run.

The Patriots play their first Atlantic 10 Conference home series against Dayton beginning Friday with the first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. at Spuhler Field.