Box score (PDF)

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Freshman left fielder Lucas Alberti hit his first collegiate grand slam and the Patriots collected 20 hits in their 15-7 win in the series opener at Davidson on Friday at Wilson Field in Davidson, N.C.

THE LEADOFF

• Alberti had three hits, smashed his first career grand slam and drove in six runs.
• Junior center fielder James Quinn-Irons had three hits, three RBI and scored three runs.
• Junior shortstop Owen Clyne reached base six times with four hits and two walks and scored four runs.
• The Patriots have won five straight and have a mark of 18-5 over the last 23 games.
• George Mason has scored at least 10 runs in a game 19 times this season.
• The Patriots collected 20 hits in a game for the fourth time.
• George Mason has won the opener in six straight Atlantic 10 series.

George Mason (34-16, 18-7 A-10) took the lead against Davidson (22-25, 15-10 A-10) junior starter Wilson Perkins in the first inning.  Clyne singled to left and went to second on an error and sophomore right fielder Owen Hull singled to shortstop to put runners on the corners.  Quinn-Irons followed with a two-run double down the first base line to put the Patriots in front, 2-0.

Sophomore third baseman Jake Butler then drove in a run with a single to right field, the fourth straight hit to start the game, to increase the lead to 3-0.

Davidson got on the board in the bottom of the inning against Patriots junior starter Connor Knox with a two-out, two-run home run to make it a 3-2 game.

In the home half of the third, the Wildcats took a 4-3 lead with a pair of solo home runs.

The Patriots went back in front in the top of the sixth.  With one out, Clyne drew a free pass and with two outs, Quinn-Irons was intentionally walked.  Butler worked the count full before he was walked to load the bases.  Alberti fell behind in the count 0-2 before belting a grand slam over the center field fence, his fifth home run of the season, to vault the Patriots into the lead at 7-4.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, junior designed hitter Drew Canody singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch.  After Clyne walked, Hull and Quinn-Irons each drove in a run with back-to-back RBI singles to make it 9-4.

Davidson plated a single run in the sixth against Patriots graduate student Sam Lavin.  Wildcats senior catcher Noah Jouras drove in a run with a double to trim the lead to 9-5.

The Patriots added to the advantage with three runs in the top of the seventh against Davidson junior reliever Brycen Champey.

Alberti led off with a walk before freshman catcher Andrew Raymond reached on a fielder's choice.  Sophomore second baseman Toby Hueber singled in a run and graduate student first baseman Jonny Wall knocked in another with a double into the left field corner to pad the lead to 11-5.  Canody bunted his way on to keep the line moving and then stole second to put a pair of runners in scoring position.  Clyne singled in a run with the fourth straight hit of the inning to make it 12-5.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Wildcats sophomore right fielder Cider Cannon walked, stole second and scored on a single by junior second baseman Eli Putnam.  Putnam advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single to make the score 12-7.

With one out in the ninth, the Patriots loaded the bases with singles by Clyne and Hull and a walk by Quinn-Irons.  All three players stole a base with Clyne racing home for the 13th run of the game.  Alberti drove in two more runs with a single to left center for the 15-7 final score

For the Patriots, Knox allowed four runs on four hits with three strikeouts and one walk in 3.0 innings.  Lavin gave up three runs, two earned, on four hits with six strikeouts and one walk in 4.0 innings.  Graduate student Garnder Meeks tossed 2.0 hitless innings with three strikeouts.

For the Wildcats, Perkins allowed nine runs on 12 hits in 5.2 innings.  Champey surrendered six runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings. 

Alberti went 3-for-5 with a grand slam and six RBI.  Quinn-Irons was 3-for-4 with three RBI and scored three runs.  Hull finished 4-for-6 with one RBI and two runs scored.  Clyne went 4-for-4 with two walks, one RBI and scored four runs.

The Patriots and Wildcats play the middle game of the series on Saturday with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. at Wilson Field in Davidson, N.C.