Sports
Patriots Start Undefeated In Baseball
By Broadside Sports Editor Brian Chan
The Patriots soar undefeated this weekend in the beginning of a potentially solid baseball season.
May the Soares Be With You
After committing an error, which resulted in an unearned run, in the bottom of the sixth inning, second baseman Ryan Soares belted a three-run home run in the seventh inning as the George Mason Patriots (1-0) won their 2009 season opener over the USC Upstate Spartans 11-5 in Spartanburg, S.C.
Spring Baseball Fever '09
Story by Broadside Sports Editor Brian Chan
The George Mason baseball team opens their season this weekend in Spartanburg, S.C. as they take on the USC Upstate Spartans, UNC Asheville Bulldogs, and the SIU Edwardsville Cougars. Southpaw Mike Modica, who led Mason with 78 strikeouts last season, is one of seven seniors on the 35-man roster.
The Patriots battle the host Spartans on Friday. The Spartans had a 17-8 home record last season despite posting a 25-29 overall record. Senior catcher Phillip Morgan will be one of the team’s key returning players as he finished second on the team with four home runs and 34 RBIs.
Basketball BracketBuster Impact
By Broadside Writer Fox Parker
The George Mason University men’s basketball team will play against the Creighton Bluejays at 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 21 on ESPNU as a part of ESPN’s BracketBusters series.
The Bluejays are 20-6 overall and 10-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference with their most notable win against Dayton, who beat the Patriots 66-62 earlier this season. Mason played Creighton in November of 2005 and 2006. Creighton won both of those games, the first by 20 in Fairfax and the second by two in Omaha.
Lucky Number 13: Mason Beats Drexel
By Broadside Sports Editor Brian Chan
The Patriots beat the Drexel Dragons in a close game, ending with a 49-48 victory. After falling behind 14-3 and shooting only 27 percent in the second half, the George Mason University men’s basketball team inched their way to their 13th home victory. Senior forward Darryl Monroe, who scored a game-high 15 points, put back senior guard Dre Smith’s missed layup with seven seconds left to win the game. Mason (18-8, 11-5) has yet to lose at home this season.
Mason extended their home-winning streak to 13 games.
VIDEO: Patriots Crush Huskies 64-53
Watch clips from Mason's game against the Northeastern Huskies last week.
- For more on the story check out Broadside's coverage of the game.
Mason's Youth Group
By Broadside Sports Editor Brian Chan
One of the key additions to George Mason University softball will be their new state-of-the-art ballpark. With a change of scenery, the Patriots look to exceed expectations once again this season as they were picked to finish last in the conference in the preseason polls.
Mason softball was incepted in 1979 and at one time it was one of the school’s strongest programs. In 2002, the Patriots reached the 40-win plateau for the third time in school history. Since then, the team has gone through a dry spell.
Mason Chokes Again
By Broadside Staff Writer Ryan Dempsey
Last Thursday, the men’s basketball team (16-8, 9-5) traveled to the University of Delaware to take on the Blue Hens (11-15, 5-9). The Patriots had hopes of moving closer to the top spot of the Colonial Athletic Association, but their rally fell short as the team suffered another loss on the road losing to Delaware, 66-58.
Sports in a Minute
By the Broadside Sports Staff
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
The women’s basketball team could not build off their momentum from last Sunday’s victory as they fell to the University of North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks 69-40. Mason had only two players in double figures as they were led by junior guard Rashuana Hobbs with 14 points and five rebounds, and sophomore guard Brittany Eley with 10 points.
12 Home Wins and Counting
By Broadside Staff Writer Ryan Dempsey
On Saturday, the men’s basketball team (17-8, 10-5) defeated the Northeastern University Huskies (16-9, 11-4), winning their 12th consecutive home game 64-53.
The game’s opening play started with a steal by senior guard Dre Smith. Senior forward Darryl Monroe scored first for the Patriots. Northeastern battled the Patriots throughout the first half with intense defense causing the Patriots to go through a couple of droughts. With a little less than six minutes left to play in the half, Monroe hit a shot to end a 10-2 Northeastern run.