FARMVILLE, Va. – A three-run rally in the top of the ninth inning cemented George Mason's comeback against Longwood, 6-5, Wednesday afternoon at Buddy Bolding Stadium.
Ryan Tassone, who entered the game in the eighth inning to play third base, drove in the winning run on a fielder's choice in the ninth. Logan Driscoll scored the go-ahead run and went 2-for-4 in the game.
Despite a season-high 13 hits for Longwood (2-7), the offense for George Mason (3-5) made the final move in the midweek matchup to down the Lancers. George Mason scored four runs in the final two innings with runs scoring on three consecutive plays in the top of the ninth after a single and back-to-back walks to load the bases started the madness.
Jared DiCesare (1-0) picked up the win after holding Longwood scoreless across the final 2.0 innings with three strikeouts and one hit allowed. DiCesare started the game at third base and went 2-for-5 at the plate.
Cody Boydstun (1-1) was tagged with the loss and was charged with all three runs in the ninth inning, allowing one hit with two walks, recording one out.
Four Lancers finished with multi-hit games Wednesday, led by three-hit games from
Sammy Miller and
Brandon Harvell. Miller was 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and an RBI while Harvell went 3-for-3 with a triple and a steal.
A pair of newcomers had multi-hit games for Longwood in the defeat. Junior right fielder
Ryan Shull was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI and a run scored in the loss while freshman second baseman
Nate Blakeney was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Longwood trailed 2-0 after George Mason scored a pair of unearned runs in the first inning. Longwood bounced back with single runs in the second and third innings to tie the game and then scored three runs in the home half of the fourth to take a 5-2 lead.
Tyler Nelin sparked George Mason's comeback with his lone hit of the day. The junior right fielder homered to left on the second pitch of the top of the eighth inning, cutting Longwood's lead to 5-3. The Lancers responded to get a pair of runners into scoring position in the home half of the eighth, but couldn't bring home any insurance runs in the frame.
Tyler Morgan was the starter for Longwood and tossed 2.2 innings with two runs, none earned, for the Lancers. Out of the bullpen
Michael Catlin pitched 3.2 scoreless innings with two hits allowed and struck out five batters.
Longwood hits the road to begin its Spring Break trip, playing eight road games over the course of the next 11 days. Longwood opens a three-game series against Savannah State Friday. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Tiger Baseball Field.
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