George Mason pulled out to an 9-2 lead after six innings by virtue of a six-run fourth inning. Monarch starter Mike Hoover (Gloucester, VA) was tagged for ten hits in that span, but only one run was earned as the Monarchs fell behind by seven runs.
Old Dominion returned the favor in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring five unearned runs. Jared Musolf (Lakehurst, NJ) led off the inning with a single, while Joe Troilo (Avondale, PA) reached on an error and Eure singled. John Oehler (Audubon, NJ) then hit a single to score Musolf and Troilo and cut the lead to 9-4, GMU.
After Jason Greiner?s line out, Brent Sollenberger (Chambersburg, PA) reached on another Patriot error, scoring Jesse Thomas. David Vilardi (Fishkill, NY) then singled to load the bases, before Musolf cleared the bases with a double to tie the game, 9-9.
The game remained tied until the top of the tenth as George Mason first baseman Brian Forthofer led off the inning with a double and then scored on Brian Anderson?s single to put the Patriots ahead, 10-9. Eure then led off the Monarchs half of the tenth with his fourth homer of the year to tie the game at 10-10. After Eure?s homer, Jesse Thomas was struck by a pitch and then moved to second on John Oehler?s sac bunt. Thomas then scored as David Villardi?s grounder was mishandled by GMU second baseman Mike Johnson.
Musolf and Eure led the way for the Monarchs, as Musolf had two hits and three RBI, while Eure had three hits and one RBI. GMU?s Eddie Jordan singled in the fourth inning to extend his hitting streak to 17 games. Old Dominion returns to action on Monday as they travel to Radford.
Old Dominion 11, George Mason 10 GMU 020 601 000 1 10 15 4 ODU 001 001 700 2 11 9 3 GMU Battery: Steller, Stiffler (7), Haney (8) and Anderson; ODU Battery: Hoover, Jackson (7), Tinkham (8), Evans (9) and Silver and Oehler HR: Eure (4) WP: Evans (1-0); LP:Haney (0-2)