March 28, 2003
NORFOLK, VA. - Firstbaseman Chris Looze one-out homerun in the top of the11th inning lifted the Patriots of George Mason to a 5-4 Colonial Athletic Associationvictory over Old Dominion Friday night at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. ODUpitchers Justin Verlander (Goochland, VA.) and Jason Godin (Stafford, VA.) combinedto fan a school record 19 batters.
Old Dominion took a 4-1 lead into the top of the eighth. The Monarchs scored threein the first as Evan Chipman (Raleigh, NC.) scored on a bases loaded wild pitch and CAAPlayer of the Week John Oehler (Audubon, NJ.) singled home Derek James and BrentSollenberger. Chipman singled home Brandon Le Noir in the second inning.
The Patriots scored in the third as Bruce Baldwin doubled home Andrew Buffington.With one out in the eighth George Mason rallied to tie the game at four. Nick Shimer reachedon an error, then Nick Prosise walked. With two outs Evan Howard singled Shimer home, and Andrew Buffington then doubled home Howard and Prosise. It was Buffington's first hit ofthe season in four at bats.
Justin Verlander pitched eight innings fanning 15, while losing pitcher Jason Godinfanned four. For George Mason, Chris Murray who gav up four runs in the first two innings,settled down and retired ODU in order from the third to the ninth innings. Stacen Gantpicked up his second win of the season.
Brent Sollenberger (Chambersburg, PA.) led ODU with three hits, while Bruce Baldwin,Adam Innerst and Evan Howard each had two hits for George Mason. The two teams play gametwo of the series on Saturday at 5 p.m.
LINES SCOREGMU001 00 030 01=5-10-0ODU 310 000 000 00 = 4-9-2GMU Battery: Murray, Gant(10) and ProsiseODU Battery: Verlander, Godin(9) and OehlerWP: Gant(2-0) LP: Godin(1-1) HR:-GMU by Looze(3)