The George Mason Patriots lost the opening game of their baseball series against Fordham, 11-4, on Friday afternoon at Houlihan Park in Bronx, N.Y., according to an April 24 announcement.
The result impacts both teams’ records in the Atlantic 10 conference, with George Mason now holding a record of 19-20 overall and 10-9 in conference play. Fordham improved to a record of 20-23 overall and also stands at 10-9 in the Atlantic 10.
In the first inning, senior shortstop Owen Clyne singled and scored after advancing on a failed pickoff attempt and coming home on sophomore Lucas Alberti’s groundout. The Rams tied it up with a solo home run by Anthony Grabau in the third inning. George Mason regained the lead early in the fourth after Clyne walked and later scored on a throwing error during a double steal.
Fordham responded strongly by sending nine batters to the plate in their half of the fourth inning, scoring six runs on three hits along with help from a passed ball and wild pitch. The Patriots narrowed the gap briefly when Jake Butler and Matthew Westley hit back-to-back solo home runs in the seventh inning. However, Fordham extended their lead further with late-inning hits off relievers Owen Stewart and Brandon Hsu.
Patriots starter Logan Rumberg took his second loss of the season after allowing six runs (three earned) over just over three innings pitched. Stewart gave up four more runs across nearly four innings while striking out five batters. For Fordham, Beau Elson secured his fifth win by pitching seven innings and giving up only two earned runs.
The series continues Sunday with a doubleheader scheduled at Houlihan Park.
