Box score (PDF)

FAIRFAX, Va. – The Patriots rallied against Georgetown with five runs in the ninth but fell to the Hoyas, 15-14, on Tuesday afternoon at Capital One Park in Tysons, Va.

THE LEADOFF

• The Patriots trailed 12-0 after three innings and 15-9 going to the bottom of the ninth before scoring five runs to pull within a run.
• Junior center fielder James Quinn-Irons went 5-for-6 with five RBI and four runs scored.
• Sophomore second baseman Jake Butler finished 2-for-4 with four RBI.
• Freshman Michael Madigan made his NCAA debut and graduate student Gardner Meeks made his Patriots debut.
• Graduate student Nick Barenze started behind the plate in his George Mason debut.
• Junior catcher Garrett Pancione made his Patriots debut.

Georgetown (2-2) scored six runs on five hits in the top of the first to take the lead against George Mason (1-3).  The Hoyas scored single runs on a fielder's choice groundout, a sacrifice fly and a pair of RBI singles and two more with a double.

Georgetown tacked on a single run in the top of the second on a groundout to increase the lead to 7-0.

In the top of the third, the Hoyas batted around and plated five runs on four hits to increase the advantage to 12-0.  Junior infielder Jeremy Sheffield had the big hit in the inning, driving in three runs with a bases loaded single to left field.

The Patriots sent eight batters to the plate and dented the scoreboard in the bottom of the third.

Barenz and junior right fielder Drew Canody each walked to start the inning and advanced into scoring position on a groundout.  With two outs, Quinn-Irons drove in a run with an infield single and Butler knocked in a pair of runs with a single to center to make it 12-3.

The Patriots batted around in the home half of the fourth and plated four runs on two hits and five walks to trim the Hoyas lead to 12-7. 

With one out, Barenz and Canody walked for the second straight inning and with two outs, junior infielder Owen Clyne drew a walk to load the bases.  Quinn-Irons then ripped a two-run single to center.  After a free pass to sophomore first baseman Owen Hull loaded the bases again, Butler forced in a run with a walk and graduate student designated hitter Sam Lavin drove in a run with a single.

The Hoyas loaded the bases on a pair of singles and a walk and added three runs in the top of the sixth.  Senior catcher Owen Carapellotti plated a run with a sacrifice fly and Sheffield singled in two runs to pad the lead to 15-7.

The Patriots scored the final seven runs of the game.

In the bottom of the sixth, Quinn-Irons led off with a double to the gap in right-center and scored on a groundout by Butler to cut it to 15-8.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Canody rumbled all the way to third on a fielding error and freshman left fielder Lucas Alberti followed with a RBI groundout to make the score 15-9.

The Patriots' first five batters of the ninth reached base to ignite a rally.  George Mason sent 11 batters to the plate in the inning against three Hoyas pitchers.

Alberti led off with a single and Clyne walked to set the table for Quinn-Irons, who belted a two-run double to the gap in right-center to cut the Hoyas lead to 15-11.  Hull then singled and Butler walked to load the bases.  After a pitching change and a double play, the Patriots were down to their final out.  Junior third baseman Evan Blanchard was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a wild pitch and pinch hitter Andrew Raymond walked to load the bases for the second time in the frame.

Canody forced in a run with his third walk of the game and Alberti was hit by a pitch to force in another as George Mason pulled to within one run, 15-14.

With the bases loaded, Georgetown summoned freshman Ethan Rucker from the bullpen.  Making his first appearance, he recorded the final out.

The Patriots used six pitchers in the game.  Madigan (0-1) allowed six runs on four hits and took the loss. Freshman Jake Drumm tossed 1.2 innings of one-hit ball.  Graduate student Gardner Meeks gave up three runs on three hits over 4.0 inning and retired the side in order in three of his four frames.

The Hoyas used 11 pitchers in the game.  Graduate student Derek Yoo (1-0) pitched 1.0 inning and earned the win, while Rucker notched the save.

All 12 players in the lineup for the Patriots reached base at least once.  The Patriots drew 16 walks with six of the free passes coming around to score.

Quinn-Irons went 5-for-6 with five RBI and four runs scored.  Butler finished 2-for-4 with two walks and four RBI.  Hull was 1-for-3 with three walks, one RBI and one run scored.  Alberti went 2-for-6 with two RBI and one run scored.

The Patriots host Saint Peter's for a three-game series beginning Friday with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. at Spuhler Field.