Box score (PDF)

FAIRFAX, Va. – The Patriots dropped their midweek game to USC Upstate, 14-10, on Tuesday at Spuhler Field.

THE LEADOFF

• Graduate student center fielder Luciano Terilli had three hits, two RBI and two runs scored.
• Graduate student catcher Logan Vaughan drove in three runs.
• Sophomore left fielder Lucas Alberti had two hits and scored two runs.

USC Upstate (15-15, 5-4 Big South) took the lead against George Mason (14-12, 7-2 Atlantic 10) freshman starter Aiden Parker in the first.  After two groundouts, fifth-year first baseman Johnny Sweeney hit a solo home run to put the Spartans in front, 1-0.

The Patriots responded with a two-out rally with five straight batters reaching base in the home half of the first against USC Upstate freshman starter Ben Chuttey.  Senior shortstop Owen Clyne singled to left-center and advanced to second on a fielding error and Alberti walked.  Both players moved into scoring position on a double steal and Terilli ripped a two-run double to right-center to vault the Patriots into the lead, 2-1.  Senior designated hitter Evan Blanchard then doubled in a run to make the score 3-1.

In the bottom of the second, senior right fielder Drew Canody led off with a single off Spartans junior reliever Jack Gibson.  Canody went to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a balk.  Freshman second baseman Julius Bagnerise walked and the Patriots executed the double steal, with Canody diving head-first across the plate to extend the lead to 4-1.

The Spartans loaded the bases with three walks in the top of the fourth.  George Mason graduate student reliever Brandon Hsu entered the game and enticed a ground out to end the threat.

In the top of the fourth, the Spartans pulled within a run with a leadoff single and a two-run home run by freshman right fielder Tyler Bentley.  Junior reliever Parker Thomas walked the bases loaded in the top of the fifth, but he was able to get a groundout to end the inning to keep the Patriots in front.

In the top of the sixth, the Spartans sent eight batters to the plate and scored three runs on five singles against Patriots redshirt-sophomore reliever Brant Ertel to take a 6-4 advantage.

The Patriots scored three runs on two hits and two errors to reclaim the lead in the home half of the inning against Spartans sophomore Brad Benton.  Blanchard was hit by a pitch with one out, went to third on a single by freshman third baseman Jackson Morse and scored on a fielding error to pull the Patriots within a run, 6-5.  With two outs, Bagnerise plated at pair of runs with a single to right field to make it a 7-6 game.

In the top of the seventh, USC Upstate sent nine batters to the plate and scored four runs on three hits and four walks against junior Tanner Kaler and graduate student Tyson Willis to re-take the lead, 10-7.

Again, the Patriots rallied in the bottom of the inning against USC Upstate junior Max Eichenberger.  With one out, Alberti and Terilli singled, and with two outs, Morse drew a walk to load the bases.  Vaughan then delivered with a 2-run single through the left side to make it a one-run game, 10-9.  Canody walked to keep the line moving and after a pitching change, Morse raced home on a wild pitch by Spartans junior Chris Torres to tie the score, 10-10.

In the top of the ninth, USC Upstate sent 10 batters to the plate and scored four runs on five walks and two hit batters against three George Mason pitchers for the 14-10 final score.

For the Patriots, Parker allowed one run on two hits in 2.2 innings.  Hsu gave up two runs on three hits in 1.1 innings.  Thomas pitched 1.0 scoreless inning.  Ertel surrendered three runs on five hits in the sixth.  Kaler allowed four runs on two hits in the seventh.  Willis allowed one run on two hits and four walks in 2.1 innings.  Graduate student Jackson Peters (0-1) was charged with three runs on two walks in the ninth. 

For the Spartans, Chuttey allowed three runs on three hits and retired two batters in the first inning.  Gibson gave up one run on one hit in 1.2 innings.  Benton was charged with three unearned runs on two hits in 3.2 innings.  Eichenberger surrendered three runs on three hits in the seventh.  Torres (2-2) scattered two hits in 1.1 innings of work.

The Patriots return to A-10 play when they host Davidson for a three-game series beginning Friday with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. at Spuhler Field.