Box score (PDF)

KINGSTON, R.I. – Graduate student starter Diego Cardenas scattered four hits over five scoreless innings in the Patriots 3-1 win over Rhode Island on Saturday afternoon at Bill Beck Field in Kingston, R.I.

THE LEADOFF

• Cardenas earned his third win of the season.
• Junior third baseman Jake Butler reached base four times with a double and three walks.
• Senior shortstop Owen Clyne had two hits including RBI-double and scored a run.
• Sophomore left fielder Lucas Alberti singled in a run and walked twice.
• Graduate student Brandon Hsu pitched the ninth to notch his first save as a Patriot.

George Mason (10-10, 4-1 A-10) took the lead against Rhode Island (5-15, 2-3 A-10) senior starter Connor Johnston in the first inning.  With one out, junior third baseman Jake Butler doubled down the left field line and senior shortstop Owen Clyne followed with a double to right-center to put the Patriots in front.  Sophomore Lucas Alberti walked to put runners on first and second, and graduate student center fielder Luciano Terilli knocked in a run with a single through the left side to make it 2-0.

With one out in the top of the third, Butler walked and Clyne singled through the right side to put runners on the corners.  After Clyne stole second, Alberti drove in a run with a single to left field to extend the advantage to 3-0.

The Rams scored their lone run of the game in the home half of the eighth.  With one out, junior left fielder Aiden Botti tripled and scored on a balk by Patriots reliever Carter Kelsey.

For the Patriots, Cardenas (3-2) tossed 5.0 scoreless innings with three strikeouts and one walk to earn his third win.  Kelsey allowed one run on one hit in 3.0 innings.  Hsu recorded his first save as a Patriot.

For the Rams, Johnston (1-3) allowed three runs on six hits over 4.0 innings and took the loss.  Three Rams relievers combined for 5.0 hitless innings.

Butler had a double in his first at-bat and scored a run, and walked his last three times at the plate.  Clyne went 2-for-4 with RBI-double and scored a run.  Alberti finished 1-for-2 with RBI-single and two walks.

The Patriots and Rams play the rubber game of the series on Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for noon at Bill Beck Field in Kingston, R.I.