Pitch Black: Patriots Lose to Ospreys In Baseball

By Broadside Sports Editor Brian Chan

The bats came alive early on for the George Mason University Patriots, but it was not enough as Mason (4-3) struggled to pick up a win in the tournament in Jacksonville, Fla. after falling to the host University of North Florida Ospreys 15-11 in Sunday's offensive shootout.

Mason led off the 1st inning with home runs from left fielder Scott Krieger and first baseman Justin Bour. Both Krieger and Bour hit their third home runs of the season. Right fielder Shane Davis continued to hit the ball well as he scored Mason’s fourth run off a double from designated hitter Josh Steinberg. Davis had three multi-hit games throughout the tournament after going 3-for-5 in Sunday’s loss.

The early 4-0 cushion was not enough as the Ospreys scored 13 runs in the first four innings. The Ospreys feasted on pitcher Dan Gerjets (1-1), who allowed 10 hits and eight runs in only 2-2/3 innings. Pitcher Ben Reade replaced Gerjets as he ended the Ospreys' four-run 3rd inning with a strikeout, but the Ospreys came back in the 4th inning and scored five more runs.

Center fielder Michael Smith and right fielder Preston Hale drove in four RBIs apiece for the Ospreys. Smith was a double short of hitting for the cycle, but his offensive production at the leadoff spot chased away Mason’s pitchers. The Ospreys’ explosive offense totaled 18 hits and six walks, leading by 10 runs through seven innings.

Mason was held scoreless for five innings after their four-run 1st inning, but hits finally came through for the team. Catcher Chris Henderson led off the 7th inning with a double, followed by a single from Krieger. Bour grounded into a double play, but Henderson scored anyway. Davis, who went 7-for-12 in the tournament, singled after second baseman Ryan Soares was hit by a pitch. Designated hitter Dan Schafferman, the hero from last week’s 7-6 win over the SIU Edwardsville Cougars, came on as a pinch-hitter and hit into a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

Mason added two more runs in the 8th inning as Henderson doubled in two runs.

Center fielder Ryan Uphouse provided some power with a three-run home run in the 9th inning to bring Mason within four runs. However, the game ended on a groundout from Henderson.

Mason is currently on a three-game losing streak after starting off the season 4-0. In the three games this past weekend, opposing batters took advantage of Mason’s starting pitchers. The trio allowed 29 hits and 21 runs in just 11-1/3 innings. Mason’s offense was not able to make up the difference even though the team is already equipped with a powerful lineup.

Henderson led Mason with four hits on two doubles and also drove in two RBIs. Entering the day with the seventh highest batting average in the CAA, the star catcher raised his average to .500. He started off the season with a hit in all seven games, six of which are multi-hit games.

Mason and their powerful offense return to Spuhler Field for Tuesday’s home opener against the Temple University Owls. Mason was 16-9 at home last season and 101-38 in the last six years.