Feb. 11, 2006

Box Score

Mobile, Ala. - The George Mason baseball team took the field at South Alabama on Saturday looking for its first win of the season but the Patriots came away empty as Mason fell to South Alabama, 10-2 in the Jaguar Invitational.

The Patriots suffered through a five-run fourth inning that stymied any hope of an upset as Jeff Cunningham hit a three-run homer to cap the scoring. J.J. Pannell made his first start for the Patriots but he did not make it to the fifth as he gave up seven runs on nine hits over four innings.

For the second straight game, the Patriots struck first. Jason Bour singled in his first at-bat and he was replaced on the base paths when Tyler Youngs reached on a fielder's choice. Youngs went to second when Brett Pomykala was hit by a pitch and Brent Weiss' two-out single scored Youngs.

South Alabama countered with a pair of runs in the second and then used the big fourth inning to take control of the game. Pannell took the loss while Eric Gonzalez earned the win. Gonzalez came on in relief of starter Zach Piccola after a Robby Jacobsen RBI single made it 7-2 with two runners on. Gonzalez allowed just two hits over the final four and one-third innings.

Jacobsen, Weiss, Scott Kreiger and Brent Weiss each had two hits in the game. Dan Jaycox pitched well in relief for Mason, allowing just one run in three innings.

Mason returns to action on Sunday when the Patriots take on Oklahoma State at 11 a.m.