Box score (PDF)

BRONX, N.Y. – The Patriots dropped the series opener at Fordham, 11-4, on Friday afternoon at Houlihan Park in Bronx, N.Y.

THE LEADOFF

• Junior third baseman Jake Butler had two hits including his third home run.
• Junior first baseman Matthew Westley hit his fourth home run.
• Senior shortstop Owen Clyne reached base twice and scored two runs.

George Mason (19-20, 10-9 Atlantic 10) took the lead against Fordham (20-23, 10-9 Atlantic 10) sophomore starter Beau Elson in the top of the first.  With one out, Clyne singled to center and went all the way to third on a failed pickoff attempt.  Sophomore left fielder Lucas Alberti then drove in Clyne from third base with a groundout to second to put the Patriots in front, 1-0.

In the bottom of the third, Fordham tied the game against Patriots senior starter Logan Rumberg.  Rams sophomore shortstop Anthony Grabau hit a one-out solo home run to right field.

The Patriots regained the lead in the top of the fourth inning.  Clyne led off with a walk and Alberti singled to right field.  Both players moved up a base on a double steal and Clyne scored on a throwing error by the catcher to make it 2-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Rams sent nine batters to the plate and scored six runs on three hits, a passed ball and a wild pitch to take a 7-2 lead.

With one out in the top of the seventh, Butler and Westley hit back-to-back solo home runs to pull the Patriots within 7-4.

Fordham added to the lead in the bottom of the seventh with RBI-double and two-run single against Patriots redshirt-junior reliever Owen Stewart to make it a 10-4 game. 

In the bottom of the eighth, the Rams scored the final run of the game with a bases-loaded single against graduate student Brandon Hsu for the 11 -4 final score.

For the Patriots, Rumberg (4-2) allowed six runs, three earned, on four hits in 3.1 innings and took the loss.  Stewart gave up four runs, three earned, on six hits with five strikeouts and one walk in 3.2 innings.  Hsu allowed one run on two hits in the eighth.

For the Rams, Elson (5-4) allowed four runs, two earned, on six hits in 7.0 innings and earned the win.

The Patriots and Rams will play a doubleheader on Sunday, April 26 with the first pitch for game one scheduled for 11 a.m. at Houlihan Park in Bronx, N.Y.