Mason baseball returns to Spuhler Field this week to host a pair of matchups against local rivals after taking two of three against Atlantic 10 foe George Washington over the weekend.
On Tuesday, the Patriots play a potent University of Maryland squad before returning to the diamond on Wednesday to face Georgetown.
Maryland at a glance
The Terrapins enter Fairfax for the front-end of the schools’ two-game season series 19-10 but are 3-4 since appearing in the Top 25 on March 24th.
After losing the first two games against ACC counterpart Wake Forest, Maryland salvaged the series on Sunday with an 11-3 victory.
While a majority of the lineup struggled despite having eight different batters with at least 10 RBIs, Charlie White and Jose Cuas had the Demon Deacons pitching staff’s number.
Combined, the duo went 12-for-25 from the plate with 9 RBIs.
While also added to his stolen base collection and now has 15 on the season without being caught red-handed.
Projected to see action on the bump is Jake Drossner (3-0, 2.49 ERA, 24 K’s).
In an 8-3 victory against Liberty last week, the sophomore gave up only one run and struck out nine in six innings
*Additional notes*
Maryland has won 12 straight non-conference games. Their last loss against a team outside of the ACC came on February 16th against Florida.
Mason holds the edge in the all-time series 25-23. Last season, each team seized victory on enemy grounds. The Patriots left College Park with a 3-2 victory early in the season, but Maryland returned the favor with a 16-1 victory at Mason.
Georgetown at a glance
After being swept by Xavier over the weekend in their first Big East series of the season, Georgetown takes the short commute over to Fairfax Wednesday with a record of 12-16. The Hoyas were manhandled in nearly every facet against the Musketeers, as they gave up 34 runs and tussled with offensive woes.
In the Hoyas’ last non-conference game against Capital City rival George Washington, a 6-2 victory, the bullpen carried the way as six different pitchers saw action.
At the plate, Hoya table setter Ryan Busch went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. On the season, he has a .327 average with team highs in runs (25) and stolen bases (nine).
The power source of the Hoyas lineups is provided by senior first baseman Steve Anderson. In 28 games, Anderson has accumulated 24 RBIs—third most in the Big East.
Chris Giorando (0-1, 11.17 ERA, 8 K’s) is scheduled to start for the Hoyas on the mound.
His last appearance came in an 8-2 loss against Grambling State where he gave up two runs in three innings of relief.
Mason at a glance
After losing the series opener against George Washington, the Patriots settled in during their first away A-10 series and let their bats remind the Colonials why they are off to their hottest start in years.
First baseman Mick Foley, who went hitless on Friday, went 4-for-8 on Saturday and Sunday with five RBIs and his first homerun of the season.
Blaise Fernandez, who set a program record for most doubles in a career earlier in the week, also knocked in a run. He raised his season average to .300 after going 6-for-13 on the weekend.
Luke Willis continued to frustrate catchers as well as he had three stolen bases to up his total to 13 on the year.
Scheduled to face Maryland on Tuesday is Michael Bowie (0-2, 8,59 ERA, 4 K’s). Last season, Bowie made the Terrapins hid in their shell, as he gave up only one run in 5.1 innings.
On Wednesday, Jake Kalish (1-0, 0.00 ERA 5 K’s) will take the mound for the second time this season.
Mason Stat Leaders
Average: Ray Toto (.342)
Hits: Blaise Fernandez (33)
Homeruns: Chris Cook (3)
RBIs: Blaise Fernandez (17)
Stolen Bases: Luke Willis (13)
Wins: Anthony Montefusco and Jared Gaynor (5)
ERA: Jared Gaynor (1.06)
Strikeouts: Anthony Montefusco (47)
Saves: Mark Maksimow (5)
