FAIRFAX, Va. – St. Bonaventure baseball found themselves battling from behind early, nearly rallying all the way back in the Atlantic 10 opener before George Mason held on for a 4-3 victory Friday afternoon.
The Patriots put together a three-run first inning to establish control early, adding another tally for a 4-0 advantage through three innings.
That score remained until the sixth when the Bonnies began to claw back.
Conner Vercollone plated the first run for the visitors before Manuel Castro doubled home a second score. Later in the inning, a Patriots throwing error allowed another Bonnies run to score as SBU closed within one.
St. Bonaventure (4-12, 0-1 A-10) had chances late to tie – Anthony Fernandez doubled with one away in the seventh and in the eighth, SBU placed runners at second and third with one out. George Mason called Owen Stewart from the bullpen and he struck out two Bona batters to get out of trouble.
Once again in the ninth, the Bonnies put the tying run in scoring position when Vercollone walked and went to second on an error. A fielder's choice ended the threat, however.
David James started for Bonaventure, working six innings while allowing three earned runs with five strikeouts. Mark Holm and Joey Calabretti both pitched scoreless innings of relief.
Logan Rumberg picked up the win with six innings of two-run ball for George Mason (7-8, 1-0). Stewart struck out four of the five outs he recorded to earn the save.
The two teams get back together Saturday at 1 p.m.
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