Baseball routs Monarchs in finale to take weekend series

The baseball team has been hot lately, having won eight of their last 12 games to improve to 13-8 in CAA competition.

The George Mason Patriots (27-15, 13-8 CAA) took on the Old Dominion Monarchs (15-27, 5-15 CAA) on Saturday afternoon in the final game of their weekend series, as the schedule was tweaked due to the threat of rain Sunday.

Having lost the first game in dramatic fashion on Friday, the Patriots looked to win the weekend series after having smashed their way past the Monarchs in the first game of a double-header earlier in the day.

The Monarchs scored the first runs of the game, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning.

However, the Patriots answered back in the second inning.

With sophomore third baseman Blaise Fernandez and senior designated hitter Zach Helgeson on base, sophomore left fielder Josh Leemhuis singled to left field to draw the Patriots within two of the Monarchs.
Next up was senior catcher Jake Leonardo. He smashed a pitch to right field, scoring Leemhuis.

After an RBI single by junior second baseman Chris Cook, junior center fielder Nick Allen doubled to deep left field. Cook scored on the hit, and brought the Patriots even with the Monarchs.

Senior shortstop Brig Tison continued his strong play as he came up to bat next and singled up the middle, which scored Allen.

After senior right fielder Dan Schafferman was hit by a pitch, Helgeson knocked him in on a single to left field.

The Patriots batted around the order in the second inning, scoring eight runs on eight hits.

The third inning was much of the same story.

Cook and Allen both walked to start the bottom half of the frame. Tison then bunted to third to advance the runners.

Schafferman stepped up to the plate and singled to shallow left field. Cook scored on the play, followed by a speedy Allen who nearly beat the throw to the plate.

After a walk by Helgeson, Fernandez singled up the middle on a 3-2 count, scoring Schafferman from second.

In all, the Patriots scored five runs in the inning, increasing their lead to 13-5. They would go on to win the contest 16-6

Having won eight of their last 12 games, the Patriots look to continue their dominance in the CAA.

Last weekend they won a weekend series at Northeastern, and the weekend before that they swept VCU in Richmond.

Watch for the Patriots to make some noise the rest of the season, especially as the NCAA Tournament approaches. They play next on Tuesday, April 24, in a non-conference matchup at Georgetown.