Box score (PDF)

FAIRFAX, Va. — The Richmond Spiders scored three runs in the eighth inning for a 4-2 win over the Patriots in the series opener on Friday afternoon at Spuhler Field.

George Mason (15-16, 8-5 A-10) took the lead against Richmond (18-15, 7-1 A-10) senior starter Topolski in the bottom of the first.  With two outs, senior shortstop Owen Clyne was hit by a pitch and sophomore left fielder Lucas Alberti walked.  Graduate student center fielder Luciano Terilli then drove in a run with a single to center to put the Patriots in front, 1-0.

The Patriots added to the lead in the home half of the third.  With one out, junior first baseman Jake Butler walked and came around to score on a groundout by Clyne to make it 2-0.

Richmond got on the board against Patriots senior starter Logan Rumberg.  Richmond senior second baseman Michael Elko led off with a walk, moved to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on a foul out to right field and scored on a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 2-1.

In the top of the eighth, the Spiders started the inning with a leadoff walk.  The Patriots made a pitching change with redshirt-junior Owen Stewart taking over on the mound.  Richmond loaded the bases with a single and a fielding error, and then plated a run with a groundout to tie the game, 2-2.  After an intentional walk loaded the bases again, Richmond freshman center fielder Chris Schaller drove in the go-ahead runs with a single to right-center to make the score 4-2.

For the Patriots, Rumberg allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits in 7.0 innings.  He struck out five, walked five and threw 98 pitches.  Stewart (2-4) gave up two runs on two hits in the eighth inning and took the loss.  Graduate student Brandon Hsu pitched the ninth.

Terilli went 2-for-4 and drove in a run, and Clyne was 1-for-3 with one RBI and scored a run.

For the Spiders, Topolski (3-2) allowed two runs on three hits in 7.0 innings and earned the win.  Don Ruggerio retired all four batters he faced to record his third save of the season.

The Patriots and Spiders play the middle game of the series on Saturday with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. at Spuhler Field.

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The Patriots and Spiders play the middle game of the series on Saturday with the first pitch scheduled for p.m. ET at Spuhler Field in Fairfax, Virginia.