Box score (PDF)

HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Patriots tied the game in the ninth but fell to James Madison, 6-5, on Tuesday night at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrisonburg, Va.

George Mason (17-12, 5-4 A-10) took the lead against James Madison (10-19, 4-5 Big South) senior starter Todd Mozoki in the top of the first.  Junior shortstop Owen Clyne led off with a walk and sophomore right fielder Owen Hull singled to put runners on the corners.  Junior center fielder James Quinn-Irons then dove in a run with a single to third base to put the Patriots in front, 1-0.

After the Patriots executed a double steal to put runners on second and third, freshman left fielder Lucas Alberti walked to load the bases.  Graduate student designated hitter Sam Lavin stepped up to the plate and knocked in a run with a ground out to make it 2-0.

In the bottom of the first, James Madison went in front against Patriots junior starter Logan Rumberg.  After two straight walks to start the inning, the Dukes scored two runs on fielding errors and another on a ground out to take a 3-2 lead.

James Madison added a run in the bottom of the fourth against Patriots freshman Michael Bilo with a two-out, RBI-single to extend the advantage to 4-2.

In the top of the fifth, Quinn-Irons drew a one-out walk and with two out, Alberti doubled to make it a one-run game at 4-3.

The Dukes plated a run in the home half of the seventh against Patriots sophomore Shaun Okeeffe.  Dukes senior center fielder Eli Steadman was hit by a pitch to start the inning, went to third on a failed pickoff attempt and scored on a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-3.

George Mason got a run back in the top of the eighth.  Junior third baseman Evan Blanchard led off with a walk and with one out, graduate student catcher Nick Barenz doubled to put a pair of runners in scoring position.  Clyne then drove in a run with a ground out to pull the Patriots within a run, 5-4.

In the top of the ninth, Quinn-Irons reached on a throwing error to start the inning and sophomore second baseman Jake Butler singled to put Patriots on the corners.  Alberti then dropped down a bunt single, with Quinn-Irons racing home to tie the game 5-5.

In the home half of the ninth, the first two batters for the Dukes reached base against senior Britt Yount with a single and hit batter.  With one out, James Madison loaded the bases with an intentional walk by graduate student Daniel Elliott.  The Dukes plated a run with a sacrifice fly for the 6-5 win.

For the Patriots, Rumberg was charged with three runs, one earned, on one hit in 3.0 innings.  Bilo gave up one run on two hits in 1.0 inning of work.  Freshman Jake Drumm tossed 2.0 scoreless innings.  Yount, (0-2) allowed one run on two hits in 1.0 inning and took the loss.

For the Dukes, Mozoki allowed two runs on two hits in 3.2 innings.  Freshman Adam Horvath (1-0) gave up two runs, one earned, on three hits in 2.0 and earned the win.

Alberti went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI.  Quinn-Irons was 1-for-3 with a pair of walks, drove in one run and scored two runs.

The Patriots return home to open a three-game series against Saint Louis on Friday with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. at Spuhler Field.