Box Score
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Game 17 |
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Final Score |
Northeastern 12, George Mason 5 (L, Berger 2-3) |
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Records |
Northeastern 10-7 (2-3 CAA), George Mason 8-10 (2-3 CAA) |
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Next Game |
at George Mason (Fairfax, Va.), 1 p.m. |
FAIRFAX, Va. – It was a pure pitcher's duel for much of the game between Northeastern and George Mason on Saturday, but in the end the Patriots (8-10, 2-3 CAA) used two runs in the sixth to narrowly edge the Huskies (10-7, 2-3 CAA), 3-2, evening the series at one game apiece.
Making his fifth start of the year,
Nick Berger (2-3, 4.06 ERA) went all 8.0 innings for the Huskies in the loss. The sophomore gave up three runs on eight hits, while issuing three walks and striking out six Patriots.
Rob Fonseca (2-for-4) and
Pete Castoldi (2-for-3) each picked up two hits on the day, but the Huskies' only RBI came from catcher
Josh Treff (1-for-4, 1RBI).
Brad Burcroff and
John Puttress both reached safely without a hit to score each of NU's two runs.
Neither Berger nor Mason's Anthony Montefusco saw more than four batters per inning through the top of the fifth, but the home half of that inning featured the game's first offensive action. Pitching and batting sixth in the DH spot, Montefusco grabbed a leadoff hit, followed shortly by a knock from Patrick Esposito to put two on with no out for GMU. Berger settled in to strike out two in a row, but the Husky pitcher hit Nick Allen to load the bases. A quick infield single later, George Mason grabbed a 1-0 lead to take into the sixth inning.
Northeastern started off it's half of the sixth with two consecutive hits, including a successful bunt from
Aaron Barbosa (1-for-4), but three straight outs halted any more NU offense. Mason, however, kept attacking in the home half of the inning. A hit, walk and sac fly put runners on the corners for the Patriots, then an Esposito single and a Derek Evans sac fly to right field brought home two straight runs for Mason to extend its lead to 3-0 heading into the seventh inning.
The Huskies finally put some offense together, thanks to a few mistakes from the Patriots. Burcroff drew an walk and was pushed to second by
Connor Lyons, who was hit by a pitch. Puttress reached safely on a fielder's choice, but Burcroff rounded for home and reached after an Evans error at second. Four pitches later, Treff singled to right center field, driving home Puttress from second to cut Mason's lead to 3-2.
But Northeastern was only able to grab two more hits in the final two innings -- thanks to solid pitching by John Williams, who earned the save for the Patriots -- which allowed George Mason to escape with the one-run victory. The two will meet in a rubber match tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Raymond H. "Hap" Spuhler Field.
Kevin Ferguson (3-1, 2.81 ERA) will get the call on the mound to face Mason's lefty, Jake Kalish (1-0, 4.03 ERA).
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