Score: VCU 9, George Mason 2
Date: April 30, 2021
Location: Richmond, Va. (The Diamond)
Records: VCU 24-14 (6-3 Atlantic 10), George Mason 9-19 (2-7)
 
The short story: Graduate right-hander Bradford Webb threw five scoreless innings, and VCU utilized a five-run seventh inning, led off by a Tyler Locklear solo home run, to take the first game of a four-game conference series.

FIRST PITCH

• Locklear turned in a 2-for-4 performance at the plate with a pair of RBIs and two runs.
• Webb struck out six Patriots, all swinging, without issuing a walk, and tied a season-high with five innings pitched. This is the longest scoreless outing of the year for the Richmond, Va., native.
• Sophomore second baseman Michael Haydak went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
• Junior designated hitter Liam Hibbits submitted a 1-for-2 performance with three walks and two runs scored.
• Freshman pitcher Tyler Davis earned his fourth save of the year, tossing four innings, collecting a trio of strikeouts, and surrendering just two runs.
• Senior left fielder Brandon Henson did not record an official at-bat, but drew a team-high four walks and scored a run.

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU drew 15 walks in the contest, four of which scored runs.
• Led by an RBI double by Hibbits, VCU tallied three runs in the fifth inning and jumped out to 4-0 lead.
• Holding on to a 4-1 advantage, the Rams blew the game open in the seventh. Locklear began the frame with a solo shot to right center and VCU tacked on four more runs behind a passed ball and three RBI walks.
• George Mason was just 1-for-6 at the plate with runners in scoring position.

NOTABLE

• VCU has won a season-high eight straight games
• Locklear is now tied for second in VCU's single-season history with 15 home runs.

NEXT UP
The Rams and Patriots will continue the four-game weekend series with a double header on Saturday. First pitch in game one is scheduled for 2 p.m. on ESPN+. Both games will be seven-inning contests