March 20, 2007
Box Score
FAIRFAX, Va. - The Navy baseball scored in double figures for the second time in 2007, but proved to not be enough as the Midshipmen fell to George Mason, 12-10, on a windy Tuesday afternoon at Hap Spuhler Field in Fairfax, Va. The loss drops Navy's record to 15-8 on the year, while the Patriots evened their mark to 9-9 on the campaign.
The 10 runs scored by the Midshipmen were the most since their season-opening, 12-3 win at Florida A&M on Feb. 9. Navy also pounded out a season-best 15 hits, but also struck out 14 times on the afternoon and tied a season high in errors with four.
"We did not perform well in the simplest components of the game," stated Navy head coach Paul Kostacopoulos. "George Mason is a good team and played well today. However, when you commit four errors, constantly work behind in the count and not make enough contact, it's going to be difficult to win.
"Today was a strange offensive game. I do think the 15 hits we had today contributed to a solid offensive output, but we didn't do a good enough job in contact situations. Whenever you strike out 14 times, even with the 15 hits, you are really limiting the ability to score extra runs."
Navy would use six base hits in the top-half of the first to take an early 5-0 lead. Junior Renaldo Hollins (Virginia Beach, Va.) doubled to lead off the game and would come home on a passed ball to open the scoring. Senior team captain Michael Garcia (Kailua, Hawai'i) delivered a RBI single and freshman Steven Soares (Coral Springs, Fla.) produced a two-run single through the left side. Sophomore Jack Ferrick (Stafford, Va.) followed with a triple off the center field fence to plate Soares for the fifth run of the inning.
George Mason answered back, scoring nine unanswered runs between the first and fourth innings to pull ahead, 9-5.
The Midshipmen responded with two runs in the fifth and sixth innings to knot the ballgame at nine. Junior Mitch Harris (Mt. Holly, N.C.) led off with a walk in the fifth and Garcia blooped a single to left with one out to put runners on the corners. Freshman Kendall Bolt (Stockton, Calif.) lifted a sacrifice fly in foul territory down the right-field line, and Soares singled to right to bring in Garcia.
Hollins singled in the sixth, and one out later, Harris belted a 400-foot shot over the center field fence. Harris has accounted for all of Navy's home runs in 2007, recording his fourth round-tripper of the year on Tuesday.
However, the host Patriots came back to take the lead for good, scoring once in the sixth and twice in the seventh. Navy would not go quietly, as it scored a run in the eighth on a Harris single up the middle and sent the go-ahead run to the plate. Yet, George Mason reliever Jordan Flasher got out of the jam with an inning-ending strikeout.
Harris went 3-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored, a home run and three RBIs. Hollins posted a 3-for-5 effort at the plate with two runs scored and two stolen bases. Soares registered a 2-for-4 showing in the batter's box with three RBIs, while Garcia went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a RBI.
"Mitch and Renaldo each had very good days offensively, and we are going to need them both," said Kostacopoulos. "Renaldo is doing a great job in the leadoff role, getting on base, stealing bases and scoring runs."
Navy sophomore starter Matt White (Yorba Linda, Calif.) was lifted after 1.1 innings after allowing six runs, five of which were earned, on three hits and three walks. Junior reliever Mark Foris (Maspeth, N.Y.) was tagged for the loss, as he yielded the go-ahead run in the sixth to fall to 0-1 on the year. A total of six Navy pitchers were used in Tuesday's contest, each of whom threw 2.1 innings or less.
"The bottom line for our pitching today was our inability to work ahead in the count," commented Kostacopoulos. "As simple as it sounds, if you can't get ahead, you're going to have trouble pitching. In addition, working in 2-0, 3-0 and 3-1 counts, it allows the opposition to open up its running game."
The Midshipmen return to Annapolis to host Yale in a three-game set on Friday through Sunday at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium. Friday's game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., while Saturday's action is slated for 1 p.m. and Sunday's first pitch is on the docket for 12 noon.
