Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va.-- The Leopards couldn't keep pace with George Mason on Friday afternoon, as a big seventh inning by the Patriots put the game out of reach for the Maroon and White.

The loss drops the Leopards to 7-11 on the year while George Mason moves to 6-10 overall. Brett Kreyer started the game for the Maroon and white and struck out five batters across 5.2 innings of work but took the loss on the mound to move to 1-3 on the year. Zach Mort (2-1) earned the win for the Patriots.

George Mason struck in the first inning as Frank Sturek homered to put the Leopards down 1-0. The Maroon and White responded with a two out rally in third inning that knotted the game at 1-1. Brandon Posivak got a free pass to start the inning after getting hit by a pitch. The sophomore moved himself into scoring position by swiping second. Luke Robinson got on base with a walk and John Marti provided the run, lacing a single into center field that scored Posivak.

George Mason took the lead back in the bottom half of the inning, as they were able manufacture two runs with one out. Kreyer was able to stop the damage there, striking out the next two batters to get out of the inning.

The Patriots added three more in the bottom of the fifth to put the Leopards in a 6-1 hole. Patrick Nelson cut the deficit to 6-2 in the top of the sixth with his second homer of the year. Lafayette struggled to manufacture runs from there, as George Mason took a 10-2 lead on the heels of a four-run seventh inning.

The Maroon and White pulled one run back in the eighth inning, taking advantage of a lead-off walk from Marti. The Los Angeles, Calif. native moved into scoring position due to a balk and advanced to third on a grounder from Nelson. Jake Sniegocki brought Marti home with a triple, but that was it for Lafayette's offense as George Mason earned the 12-3 victory.

The Leopards are back in action tomorrow when they continue the series at George Mason. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.