Score: VCU 6, George Mason 4
Location: Fairfax, Va. (Spuhler Field)
Records: VCU 26-15 (8-4 Atlantic 10), George Mason 17-22 (5-8)
The short story: Freshman
Chris McHugh recorded four hits, including a go-ahead RBI single, to lift VCU over George Mason Friday in Fairfax, Va.
LEADING OFF
- McHugh finished his day 4-for-5, the first four-hit game of his collegiate career, and drove in three runs to spark the Rams
- Senior shortstop William Bean was 2-for-3 and scored three runs for the Black and Gold
- Graduate designated hitter Eli Weisner launched his third home run of the year for VCU
- Graduate righthander Owen Tappy (6-1) earned his sixth win of the year with 1.2 innings of scoreless relief for the Rams
THE STRETCH
- In a 4-4 game, Bean led off the top of the ninth with a single to right and moved to second on a sacrifice. McHugh followed and ripped a single through the left side to score Bean and give the Rams a 5-4 lead. Three batters later, pinch hitter Devan Zirwas smacked a single to right to plate McHugh
- McHugh helped the Rams tie the game at 4-4 in the seventh. Following a Bean leadoff walk, McHugh singled to right. Senior third baseman Brandon Eike then delivered a one-out single to left field that scored Bean
- Sophomore righthander Brian Curley tossed 5.1 innings out of the bullpen for the Rams and held the Patriots to just two runs. He struck out two. Tappy finished the final two innings to close the door
- VCU racked up 11 hits in the game
- McHugh staked the Rams to a 3-1 lead in the third with a two-run single up the middle, but George Mason would answer with a run in the bottom of the inning and a pair in the bottom of the fifth
- VCU has won 14 of its past 16 contests with George Mason
NEXT UP
VCU and George Mason will meet in game two of their three-game set on Saturday, April 27 at 2 p.m.
