Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va.  – The Fairfield University baseball team took a lead in the top of the ninth but George Mason University scored twice in the bottom of the inning to overtake the Stags, 7-6, this afternoon at Spuhler Field.
 
Trailing 5-4 with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, senior Anthony Hajjar tied it up with an RBI single to score Mike Bennett. Junior Ryan Plourde followed with an RBI single of his own to plate Alex Witkus and give the Stags the 6-5 lead.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, George Mason loaded the bases with no outs. The Patriots tied it up on a sacrifice fly by Blaise Fernandez. Josh Leemhuis followed with another sacrifice fly off of senior Kyle Capaldo to give George Mason the win.
 
George Mason (5-3) had taken a very early lead by scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Fairfield got on the board in the top of the sixth inning with RBI singles by Jack Giannini and sophomore Sebastian Salvo to pull the Stags within 5-2. The Stags added two more runs in the top of the eighth inning. Giannini came through with an RBI single while Plourde scored on a wild pitch to pull the Stags within 5-4.
 
Giannini went 2-for-4 with two RBI while Hajjar was 2-for-4 with a run scored and one batted in. Junior Rob LoPinto also had a multi-hit day, going 2-for-5.
 
Sophomore Tucker Panciera received a no-decision in a 5.0 inning start. Panciera allowed five runs on eight hits and four walks. Junior Andrew VanEyck tossed 1.2 scoreless innings of relief while sophomore Anthony DiMauro threw 1.1 innings of relief, retiring all four batters he faced in his collegiate debut.
 
Fairfield and George Mason continue the series tomorrow, March 2, at 2pm.