FAIRFAX, Va. – A costly Towson error helped open the door for a seven-run fifth inning for George Mason as the Tigers dropped a midweek decision, 10-3, Wednesday afternoon.
 
How It Happened

• The Tigers (11-18) jumped out to the early lead as Richie Palacios led off the game with a base hit and scored on a Brady Policelli single to right field.
• A base hit from Chris Henze and a walk to A.J. Gallo loaded the bases for Jay Sanford to deliver an RBI infield single.
• Tiger starter David Marriggi was highly effective in his pre-determined three innings of work.  The left hander allowed just an infield single and struck out four.  He got out of the first and second innings with groundball double plays.
• The Patriots (9-20) got a run back in the fourth inning as Tyler Nelin singled up the middle and scored on Kent Blackstone's double to left field.
• Mason broke the game open in the fifth inning as back-to-back singles were followed by an error.  That opened the door for seven runs, four unearned to score.  Blackstone drove in two runs with a double and Bailey Kelin drove in two more runs with a two-out single.
• The Patriots would add single insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
• Towson finally got on the board again in the ninth after Henze walked and Gallo singled.  After a groundout advanced the runners, Richard Miller drove in Henze with a groundout.
• Palacios led the Towson offense by going 3-for-5 with a triple and a run scored.
• Dean Stramara (1-2) took the loss after allowing eight runs, five earned, on seven hits over 1.2 innings.
• Noah Hartwell closed out the game by striking out three over two scoreless innings.
• Ryan Ricci (1-2) picked up the victory out of the bullpen, allowing two hits and striking out four over 3.2 scoreless innings.

 
On Deck
The Tigers return to action Friday afternoon as they open a three-game CAA series against James Madison.  First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Schuerholz Park.