FINAL SCORE 
George Mason 12 (6-4)
Monmouth 11 (3-6)

FAIRFAX, VA. – The Monmouth University baseball team scored seven runs in the top of the ninth but the late rally fell just short as George Mason University held on for a 12-11 win on Saturday afternoon. 
 
The Hawks and Patriots traded blows in the first inning as George Mason grabbed a 2-1 lead after one. 
 
Monmouth answered with two runs in the top of the second and grabbed a 3-2 edge. 
 
George Mason scored four runs in the bottom of the third on two hits and two Monmouth errors and took a 6-3 lead. 
 
The Patriots added two in the fourth and two in the fifth and pushed their lead to 10-3. 
 
The Hawks got one back in the seventh as Casey Caufield was hit by a pitch and came around to score on Chris Andrews' single.
 
George Mason tacked on two runs in the seventh and led 12-4.
 
Monmouth mounted its comeback in the top of the ninth. The Hawks sent 10 men to the plate and scored seven runs on five hits. Wyatt Hunt had a two-run single that scored Aidan Watson and Chris Andrews to highlight the inning. Hunt came around to score on Trey Porter's two-run triple. 
 
After Porter scored on a wild pitch, George Mason was able to get the final two outs to secure the 12-11 victory.

NOTES 
- George Mason leads the all-time series 7-4 with Saturday's victory. 
- Monmouth pitchers combined for seven strikeouts in the game, matching their season-high. The Hawks have now struck out at least five batters in seven of nine games this season. 
- Monmouth had six extra base hits in the game (five doubles, triple) which was a season-high.
- Chris Walsh started in right field for the Hawks, the fourth different position he's played this year (1B, DH, LF, RF).   

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- The 11 runs scored are the second most by the Hawks this season (13-Dayton).
- Monmouth's 12 hits are tied for the most in a game this season (12-Pitt).
- Harry Padden's stolen base was his third of the season and 32nd of his career. He needs three more to move into the top 14 for career steals at Monmouth.
- Padden, Casey Caufield and Wyatt Hunt each extended their hit streak to five straight games.
- Daniel Elliott earned the win for George Mason as he tossed two innings in relief and allowed just one hit. 
- Tommy Kent suffered the loss for the Hawks as he went three innings and allowed six runs, three of which were earned. 
  
NEXT UP
Monmouth and George Mason wrap up the series on Sunday, Mar. 2 at 1 p.m. Game time was pushed back due to the cold.