Krieger Hits 12th Home Run on Historic Day

Photo by Russell Osbourne.
Senior shortstop Brent Weiss rounds the bases at the game last Wednesday.

By Broadside Sports Editor Brian Chan

Four years ago, Chris Looze departed George Mason University as the all-time leader in home runs and RBIs. Senior left fielder Scott Krieger displaced Looze for the home run record last season and gained sole possession of the RBI record after the baseball team (26-5, 7-2) won their seventh straight with a 12-0 rout over the Liberty Flames (21-10, 9-2) on Wednesday afternoon.

Mason entered the week ranked 25th by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and 30th by the National College Baseball Writers Association. For a team that never earned a national ranking in its school history, Mason already holds a 2-0 record as a ranked team after annihilating the George Washington Colonials 17-5 on Tuesday and the Flames on Wednesday.

As they did on Tuesday, Mason shot out of the gates after taking a 9-0 lead through the first four innings. Senior center fielder Spencer Wiggins, who entered the game with only one career home run, jumped on the first pitch and sent it over the right field wall. Wiggins recorded five hits in the game, which included another home run in the second inning.

Mason knocked pitcher Zane Bator (1-1) around for five hits and five runs. Bator only lasted for 1-1/3 innings. Pitcher Aaron Poretz could not settle down the Mason offense as he yielded another four runs.

After sophomore third baseman Dan Palumbo hit a single to center field, followed by another single from Wiggins, Krieger came to the plate and crushed the pitch for his 12th home run of the season. He tied Looze for the RBI record with his three-run blast. Junior first baseman Justin Bour responded with his 12th home run of the season as well. Krieger and Bour went back-to-back for the second time this season and homered in the same game for the fifth time.

Krieger made history in the fifth inning after he hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Wiggins from third base.

With Mason holding a commanding lead late in the game, the team went to its bench players. Junior pinch hitter and first baseman Josh Steinberg hit a one-out single in the seventh inning. Freshman pinch hitter and second baseman Brig Tison and sophomore pinch hitter and right fielder Aaron Tenney each picked up RBI singles in the inning.

Junior pitcher Jordan Flasher came on in the ninth inning and struck out the final two batters.

Junior pitcher Kris Mengle (1-0) took the hill and had a solid outing, going seven innings and allowing only three hits. Junior pitcher Ryan Brecko gave up a leadoff single in the eighth inning, but he was able to induce a groundball for a double play. Brecko and Flasher did not give the Flames much opportunity since the two threw 16 of their 18 pitches for strikes.

Mason’s offense had been efficient as of late, scoring in double-digits for the third consecutive game. Krieger homered at least once in the last three games, which now gives him 61 for his career.

Prior to the Krieger era, Looze was the previous record holder for career home runs and RBIs. After Looze graduated in 2005, Krieger was an immediate impact with his power. He became more than just one of the school’s best players. With at least 21 games left in the season, Krieger has much more to add to his résumé. His 61 career home runs, 202 RBIs, and 510 total bases is the most among all active collegiate baseball players on the national level.

With Krieger, Bour, Wiggins, junior second baseman Ryan Soares and junior catcher Chris Henderson, the Mason offense looks to continue dominating opposing pitchers.