Score: VCU 8, George Mason 2
Location: Fairfax, Va. (Spuhler Field)
Records: VCU 11-11 (1-1 Atlantic 10), George Mason 9-16 (1-1 A-10)
 
The short story: The Rams backed up sophomore lefty Tyler Davis's career outing with a six-run seventh inning to even the first conference series of the season against the Patriots.
 
FIRST PITCH

• Davis threw a career-high 6.0 scoreless innings, the longest outing for a VCU pitcher since Connor Gillispie threw 6.0 against Fordham in the A-10 Tournament on May 23, 2019. Davis scattered three hits and two walks while striking out five.
• VCU has won 11 of its last 14 games, and holds a 5-2 record against teams from the state of Virginia.
• Twelve of VCU's 13 hits were singles.
• Redshirt sophomore third baseman Tyler Locklear went 2-for-6 with two runs and three RBIs.
• Redshirt junior first baseman Michael Haydak scored a pair of runs, while sophomore shortstop Connor Hujsak and redshirt sophomore second baseman Ben Nippolt each tallied a pair of RBIs.
• Six different Rams recorded multi-hit games: Haydak, Locklear, Hujsak, Nippolt, redshirt sophomore designated hitter Will Carlone, and redshirt sophomore left fielder Cooper Benzin.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Haydak reached base to lead off the game for the fourth game in a row, singling to center. After advancing to third on a pair of wild pitches, Haydak scored when Locklear rolled a ground ball to the third baseman, and reached on a throwing error.
• Locklear stole second, then added a second run on Hujsak's double to the gap in right center.
• Davis struck out two batters in a row to strand a pair of Patriots in the bottom of the first.
• Redshirt junior right fielder Logan Amiss ended the bottom of the second by making a diving, shoestring catch in right field.
• With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth, Davis escaped without allowing a run by inducing a 1-2-3-2 fielder's choice, with the two lead runners getting tagged out at home plate.
• The Rams continued to flash the leather in the fifth, as freshman center fielder Jesse Robinson dove fully extended to rob a hit in center field.
• VCU broke the game open in the top of the seventh, batting around and scoring six runs to push the lead to 8-0. After Robinson walked to lead off the inning, the Rams hit five consecutive singles that drove in three runs. Benzin contributed a sac fly, then Nippolt put an exclamation point on the frame with a two-run single to center.
• George Mason got on the board with solo home runs in the seventh and eighth, but VCU got the last run with Haydak's sacrifice fly scoring Nippolt in the top of the ninth.
• Freshman lefty Cade Dressler recorded a spotless ninth inning to end the game.

 
NOTABLE

• The top of the Rams' lineup has been hot with Haydak and Locklear both recording hits and runs in five straight games, and Hujsak getting hits in six in a row.
• Benzin has reached base in 14 straight, and leads the team with six sac bunts, and is tied for team lead with two sac flies.
• Locklear leads the Rams with nine multi-hit games and seven multi-RBI games this season.

 
UP NEXT
The Rams and Patriots close out their weekend series with a rubber match Sunday, April 3 at 1 p.m. from Spuhler Field. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.