Box score (PDF)

FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason freshman catcher Andrew Raymond hit his first two collegiate home runs and drove in four in the Patriots 17-2 win over Saint Peter's in the home opener on Friday afternoon at Spuhler Field.

THE LEADOFF

• Raymond hit home runs in back-to-back plate appearances in the third and fifth inning and drove in four runs.
• Graduate student starter Sam Lavin struck out five batters over 4.0 innings and earned his first win as a Patriot.
• Sophomore second baseman Jake Butler knocked in four runs for the second straight game.
• Junior third baseman Evan Blanchard went 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored.
• Every player in the starting lineup recorded at least one hit, while four Patriots had a multi-hit game.
• Every player in the starting lineup drove in at least one run or scored at least one run.

George Mason (2-3) took the lead against Saint Peter's senior starter Mike DiForte in the bottom of the first.  Freshman left fielder Lucas Alberti led off with a single, stole second and moved to third on an error.  Junior shortstop Owen Clyne then walked and stole second, and junior outfielder James Quinn Irons walked to load the bases.

Sophomore designated hitter Owen Hull and Butler each drove in a run with RBI groundouts and Quinn-Irons raced home on a wild pitch to put the Patriots in front, 3-0.

In the second inning, graduate student first baseman Jonny Wall ripped a one-out double to the gap in left-center and scored on a single by junior right fielder Drew Canody to make it 4-0.

Saint Peter's got on the board in the top of the third against Lavin.  Peacocks senior center fielder Ben Williams led off with a double to left and scored on a single up the middle by junior shortstop Garrett Greco.  

The Patriots sent eight batters to the plate and scored four runs on four hits in the home half of the third.

Quinn-Irons led off with a single and Hull followed with a single, with Quinn-Irons scoring all the way from first on an error to increase the lead to 5-1.  Butler then lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, with Hull coasting across the plate to make it a 6-1 game.

Raymond stepped to the plate and launched his first NCAA home run, a solo shot over the left field fence to extend the advantage to 7-1.

After a pitching change, Blanchard kept the line moving with an infield single and advanced to second on a passed ball.  With two outs, Canody reached on a throwing error with Blanchard crossing the plate for an 8-1 Patriots lead.

The Peacocks plated an unearned run in the top of the fourth for their final run of the day.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Patriots sent 13 batters to the plate and scored nine runs on eight hits, including a two-run homer by Raymond to straightaway center field, to account for the 17-2 final. 

For the Patriots, Lavin (1-0) allowed two runs, one earned, on six hits and struck out six batters over 4.0 innings to earn his first win as a Patriot.  Graduate student Daniel Elliott worked 2.0 hitless innings and freshman Michael Madigan retired the side in order in the sixth.

For the Peacocks, DiForte (0-2) allowed seven runs, three earned, on six hits in 2.1 innings and took the loss.  Sophomore Yash Jain surrendered 10 runs, six earned, on eight hits in 2.1 innings of work.

Raymond went 3-for-4 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored.  Butler finished 1-for-2 with four RBI and two runs scored.  Blanched went 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored.  Alberti was 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.

The Patriots and Peacocks play the middle game of the series on Saturday with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. at Spuhler Field.