March 30, 2002
FAIRFAX, Va. - Freshman Matt Cooksey tied a GeorgeMason single-game school record with five hits, including his firstcareer home run, to lead the Patriots to an 11-2 victory over OldDominion in a Colonial Athletic Association baseball game Saturdayafternoon at Raymond H. "Hap" Spuhler Field.
George Mason won its fifth straight game to improve to 12-15 overall,2-0 in the CAA, while Old Dominion lost its second straight contest tofall to 12-13 overall, 0-2 in the CAA.
Cooksey hit his first home run of the season, a solo blast over the wallin right field, in the seventh inning and added a double, three singlesand two stolen bases on the afternoon to lead the Patriots. George Masonpounded out 17 hits against three Old Dominion pitchers, with juniorEvan Howard adding four hits and sophomore Jeff Palumbo with three.Cooksey, Palumbo, Howard, senior Brian Anderson and junior Kevin McNeileach had two runs batted in.
Mason scored twice in the first inning as Howard singled to drive in onerun and McNeil hit a sacrifice fly, and the Patriots added a run in thesecond as Cooksey scored on a single by Palumbo. The Monarchs cut themargin to 3-2 in the third as sophomore Allen Strick had a run-scoringsingle and senior Jared Musolf added a sacrifice fly. Cooksey's home runin the seventh gave Mason a bit of insurance, but it added much morewith seven runs in the bottom of the eighth as the Patriots sent 10batters to the plate.
Junior Chris Murray (3-4) earned the win for George Mason as he allowedseven hits and two runs over seven innings, walking three and strikingout three. Junior Ryan Williams (1-4) took the loss for the Monarchs ashe allowed seven hits and three runs while walking one and striking outone in 61/3 innings.
George Mason and Old Dominion conclude the three-game series Sunday at12 p.m. (change from the original schedule).
LINESCORE
Old Dominion (12-13, 0-2) 002 000 000 -- 2 9 0George Mason (12-15, 2-0) 210 000 17x -- 11 17 1Williams, Jones (7), Hummel (8) and Oehler, Murray, Smith (8), Simo (9)and Anderson.WP - Murray (3-4). LP - Williams (1-4).HR - Cooksey (GM), his 1st, none on in 7th.