April 13, 2011
Box Score
FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason hit three multi-run homers for a total of seven runs, and it proved to be the difference, as it defeated Navy, 13-6, on Wednesday afternoon at Spuhler Field in Fairfax, Va. Jake Leonardo, Jeremy Haas and Zack Helgeson all homered for George Mason, as eight of the Patriots' 14 hits went for extra bases.
"It was one of those games where they swung the bat well and that really set the tone," said Navy head coach Paul Kostacopoulos.
The Midshipmen got off to a good start as they grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, courtesy of a two-RBI double to right center field by Dave Milanes.
After an efficient Mason squad responded and pushed across three runs off three hits in the bottom of the first inning, Dylan Wheeler retied the game at three in the top of the second frame when he scored on a wild pitch.
Navy starting pitcher Zach Sipe stranded Mason runners at second and third base with consecutive strikeouts to end the bottom of the second inning, but with two outs in the bottom of the third, Leonardo hit the Patriots' first homer of the day to make the score 5-3.
The Mids fought back with consecutive two-out singles in the top of the fifth and after Mason reliever Michael Bowie hit Craig Veech with a pitch, Wheeler walked with the bases loaded to make it a one-run game.
With the bases still loaded, Navy was unable to get the hit it needed to reclaim the lead as Bowie got Nick Driscoll to pop out, ending the Mids' threat.
The one-run deficit was as close as Navy would get the rest of the way. In the bottom of the fifth, Mason's first three hitters reached base and it went on to score four runs in the inning, keyed by Haas' three-run shot to left field.
"They swung the bat well and got some big hits in some key situations," said Kostacopoulos.
Trailing 9-4, Navy answered with a two-out rally in the top of the sixth inning. With Taylor Cato and Milanes on base via consecutive singles, Jonathan Wright belted a two-out base hit into left field, bringing in both runners and making the score 9-6.
The three-run deficit didn't last long though as the Patriots slugged their third long ball of the day in the bottom of the sixth inning. With the wind still blowing out, Halgeson hit a two-run shot with two outs for an 11-6 lead.
Solo runs by Mason in the seventh and eighth innings made the final score 13-6.
Using Wednesday's game as a staff outing, George Mason threw a total of seven pitchers - three of which combined to hold Navy to one hit over the final three innings.
Bowie, who pitched the fourth and fifth innings, got the win as Mason improved to 15-19-1.
After getting off to a tough start in the first inning, Sipe bounced back and went on to record a career-high nine strikeouts in four innings of work, but took the loss to fall to 1-2.
The Midshipmen, now 20-14-1, will get back into Patriot League play on Saturday when they start a four-game series with Bucknell. First pitch of Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Max Bishop Stadium.
"When you play over 50 games in a season, you have to move on to the next one," said Kostacopoulos. "You take what was good out of it and work to improve on what you didn't do well. That's what we'll do now heading into our series with Bucknell."
Games Notes...
• With two hits on Wednesday, Dave Milanes extended his hitting streak to nine games...Milanes also increased his team-leading RBI total to 33 with two against the Patriots.
• Navy pitchers Zach Sipe, Jordan Heller and Dwayne Gammage combined for 12 strikeouts - the most by the Mids' pitching staff in a nine-inning game since recording 15 in 9-2 win over Central Connecticut State on March 5.
• Jonathan Wright tied a career high with four hits.
