Box score (PDF)

RICHMOND, Va. – The Patriots defeated VCU, 6-5, on Sunday afternoon to take two-of-three in the series at The Diamond in Richmond, Va.

THE LEADOFF

• Junior starter Brandon Cassedy earned his fourth win of the season.
• Graduate student Gardner Meeks picked up his third save of the season.
• Junior center fielder James Quinn-Irons drove in a pair of runs and has 50 RBI on the season.
• Sophomore right fielder Owen Hull scored three runs.
• The Patriots have won seven of their last nine games.

VCU (11-24, 5-10 A-10) took the lead against George Mason (23-13, 10-5 A-10) in the first inning.  After a one-out single, freshman catcher Jacob Lee hit a two-run home run to center field to put the Rams in front.

The Patriots dented the scoreboard in the top of the third with a two-out run against VCU sophomore starter Nick Frers.  Freshman left fielder Lucas Alberti went all the way to second on a throwing error and junior shortstop Owen Clyne followed with a single to center to drive in the Patriots first run of the game.

In the top of the fourth, Hull walked, sophomore second baseman Jake Butler singled and junior third baseman Evan Blanchard was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Freshman catcher Andrew Raymond lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, with Hull coasting across the plate to tie the score, 2-2.

In the home half of the inning, the Rams used a leadoff double and a two-out single to retake the lead 3-2.

The Patriots took their first lead of the game with a two-out rally against VCU senior James McGrady.  Alberti drew a one-out walk and with two outs, Hull doubled in a run to tie the game 3-3.  After an intentional walk to Quinn-Irons, Butler delivered with a RBI-single into left field to make it 4-3.

George Mason added to the advantage in the top of the seventh against VCU graduate student Max Moore.  Alberti was hit by a pitch and Clyne reached on a fielder's choice, with Alberti out on the play.  Hull then used his speed for an infield single to first base.  After both runners stole a base to move into scoring position, Quinn-Irons doubled to the gap in left-center to pad the lead to 6-3.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, the Rams loaded the bases with a single, walk and a hit batter.  Lee followed with a two-run single to make it a one-run game at 6-5.

The Patriots made the call to the bullpen for Meeks, who ended the threat with a strikeout.  The Rams got the tying run to third base in the bottom of the ninth, but Meeks enticed a fly out to right field to end the game.

For the Patriots, Cassedy (4-1) allowed five runs on eight hits in 6.2 innings and earned the win.  Meeks tossed 2.1 hitless frames to notch his second save of the series.

For the Rams, Frers allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits in 4.0 innings.  McGrady (1-2) gave up three runs on three hits in 2.0 innings and took the loss.  Moore allowed one run on two hits in 1.0 inning of work.

Hull went 2-for-3 with one RBI and three runs scored.  Butler was 2-for-3 with one RBI.  Quinn-Irons finished 1-for-4 with a two-RBI double.

The Patriots return home to face James Madison on Tuesday with the first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. at Spuhler Field.