Feb. 20, 2010

Box Score

ROCK HILL, S.C. - George Mason scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth innings to defeat the Marist baseball team 3-2 on Saturday in its season opener in the 2010 Bojangles Baseball Classic, hosted by Winthrop. Junior right-hander Kyle Putnam (New Windsor, N.Y.) started for the Red Foxes and allowed just three hits, one walk and one run while striking out six in seven innings.

Red-shirt junior catcher Bryce Nugent (Binghamton, N.Y.) broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning with a two-run double, which scored both senior first baseman Ryan Gauck (Clifton Park, N.Y.) and junior left fielder Ricky Pacione (Newburgh, N.Y.).

Gauck, who singled in his first two at-bats, had two of the Red Foxes' four hits in the contest.

The Red Foxes led 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth when junior right-hander Brendan Chapin (South Weymouth, Mass.) escaped a bases-loaded jam with a strikeout. However, George Mason rallied in the bottom of the ninth with four singles and a walk to score the tying and winning runs. Chapin took the loss.

Marist will return to action in the Bojangles Baseball Classic today at 5 p.m., when the Red Foxes take on Northwestern of the Big 10.