George Mason University Athletic Department issued the following announcement on Feb. 20
The George Mason baseball team dropped a slugfest to Wofford, 15-13, on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the series at Russell C. King Field in Spartanburg, S.C.
The Patriots (1-2) fell behind in the first inning when Wofford (2-1) scored a pair of runs against Patriots graduate student starter Danny Hosley. With runners on first and third, a failed pickup attempt allowed the first run to score and Wofford senior catcher Lawson Hill drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
The Patriots then scored seven unanswered runs.
In the top of the second, freshman Connor Dykstra belted his first collegiate home run over the left-center field fence off of Wofford starter Dom Marcoccio to cut the lead in half.
An inning later, senior third baseman Daniel Brooks and junior first baseman South Trimble started the frame with back-to-back singles. Brooks would score on a throwing error and Hosley singled in a run to put the Patriots in front 3-2.
Dykstra was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the fourth and a batter later, sophomore Brett Stallings singled. With two on and two out, Brooks ripped a double to left field to drive in two runs to increase the advantage to 5-2.
In the top of the fifth, freshman shortstop Carsen Pracht was hit by a pitch to lead off. With two outs, Dykstra struck again when he connected for his second home run of the game, a two-run blast over the left field fence to make the score 7-2.
The Terriers responded with four runs in the bottom of the fifth to make it a one-run game at 7-6.
Sophomore shortstop Jack Renwick drove in two runs with a single, and Hill plated a run with a ground out against Mason sophomore reliever Christian Mracna. Renwick scored the fourth run in the inning when he stole home.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Terriers sent 12 batters to the plate and scored nine runs on three hits, and took advantage of six walks and a hit batsman to retake the lead, 15-7. Wofford junior outfielder Zeb Roos provided the big hit in the inning with a three-run home run.
The Patriots climbed back into the game in the top of the seventh against Wofford senior reliever Dalton Rhadans. Freshman right fielder Yogie Hartigan drove in his first two collegiate runs with a single and sophomore center fielder Jordan Smith also drove in a pair of runs with a base hit to trim the Terriers lead to 15-11.
In the ninth, Dykstra led off with a single, freshman Alex Knapp walked and Stallings was hit by a pitch to load the bases against Wofford senior reliever Clay Schwaner, bringing the tying run to the plate.
After a strikeout and a pop-out, Trimble laced a single to right field to drive in a pair of runs to bring the Patriots within two run, 15-13. With runners on second and third, Schwaner got a pop-out to end the game.
For the Patriots, Hosley allowed five runs, three earned, on four hits in 4.0 innings. Mracna (0-1) gave up three runs on two hits in one inning of work and took the loss. Graduate student Chris Ruckdeschel surrendered four runs. Sophomore Stephen Restuccio allowed three runs on two hits in one inning. Senior Matthew Henson tossed two scoreless innings.
Mracna, Ruckdeschel and Restuccio made their Mason debuts.
Dykstra reached base all five times at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two home runs, three RBI and five runs scored. Jordan Smith, Hartigan and Trimble each drove in two runs in the game.
The Patriots are back on the diamond on Wednesday when they take on James Madison at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrisonburg, Va. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Original source can be found here.
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