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TYSONS, Va. – The second-seeded George Mason Patriots fell to the third-seeded Saint Louis Billikens, 5-3, in the second round of the 2025 Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship on Wednesday afternoon at Capital One Park in Tysons, Va.

George Mason (37-19, 20-10 A-10) took the lead against Saint Louis sophomore starter Owen Kelly (32-24, 18-12 A-10) in the bottom of the first.  With two outs, junior center fielder James Quinn-Irons, who was named the A-10 Player of the Year earlier in the day, hit a towering solo home run to straightaway center field on a 2-2 pitch to put the Patriots in front, 1-0.

In the bottom of the second freshman left fielder Lucas Alberti reached on a throwing error by the pitcher to start the inning and freshman catcher Andrew Raymond traded places with him on a fielder's choice ground out.  Sophomore second baseman Toby Hueber then doubled to center field to put a pair of runners in scoring position.  Graduate student first baseman Jonny Wall drove in a run with a bunt single, with Raymond racing home to increase the lead to 2-0.

The Billikens got on the board in the top of the third against Patriots graduate student starter Connor O'Hara.  Saint Louis senior center fielder led off with a double to right, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1.

After two scoreless innings, the Patriots added a run in the bottom of the sixth.  Quinn-Irons led off with a single, sophomore third baseman Jake Butler reached on a fielder error by the pitcher and Alberti was safe on an infield single to first to lead the bases.  Raymond then plated a run with his fourth sacrifice fly of the season to push the advantage to 3-1.  The Billikens summoned junior reliever Charlie Weber from the bullpen and he limited the damage by retiring the next two batters.  

George Mason graduate student reliever Daniel Elliott kept the Billikens off the board in the seventh and the eighth as the Patriots took a two-run lead into the ninth inning.

In the top of the ninth, the Billikens started the rally with a leadoff double and a walk.  The Patriots made the call to the bullpen for graduate student Garnder Meeks, who struck out the first batter he faced.  After a walk loaded the bases, Saint Louis sophomore first baseman Riley Iffrig hit a grand slam to vault the Billikens in front, 5-3.

The Patriots threatened in the bottom of the ninth.  Graduate student first baseman Jonny Wall led off with a walk and with one out, junior shortstop Owen Clyne double to right field and sophomore right fielder drew a walk Owen Hull loaded the bases.  Quinn-Irons then grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game.

For the Patriots, O'Hara allowed one run on four hits in 6.0 innnings.  Elliott gave up two runs on one hit in 2.0 innings.  Meeks (3-2) surrendered two runs on two hits in the ninth and took the loss.

For the Billikens, Kelly allowed three runs on six hits in 5.1 innings.  Weber (4-1) scattered two hits over 3.2 scoreless frames to earn the win.

Quinn-Irons went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and scored twice.  Clyne was 2-for-5 with a single and a double.  Raymond and Wall each drove in a run.
 
The Patriots face No. 5 Saint Joseph's in an eliminated game on Thursday with the first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. at Capital One Park in Tysons, Va.