Mason Falls to Strasburg, Seeded #2 in Conference Playoffs

By Steve Selby
Special to the Falls Church Times
May 20, 2014

Another strong pitching performance by the Strasburg Rams led to a victory over the George Mason Mustangs on Monday night’s game played in Strasburg. In leading the Rams to a 6-4 victory, senior Tyler Doman went five and a third innings, allowing one hit and one earned run, while striking out six and walking six.

Although Strasburg threatened in the bottom of the first inning, catcher Marsden Davis cut down a runner attempting to steal, helping Mason get out of the inning without allowing a run. Strasburg would get on the board in the second inning, with Josh Pritchett’s double helping put the Rams up 2-0. Strasburg added another run in the fourth to take a 3-0 lead.

Mason pushed back in the fifth inning. With two outs, Sam Selby and Chris Meador walked. Delivering Mason’s first hit of the night, Marsden Davis singled sharply to left, driving in a run. But, Strasburg quickly added two more runs in the bottom of the inning, taking a 5-1 lead into sixth inning.

With one out in the top of the sixth, Mason would rally. Grant Hagler hit a rocket toward first that proved too hot to handle. Gabe Terry followed with a walk. After a wild pitch advanced both runners, pinch hitter Connor Rhodes walked to load the bases. Selby’s infield hit made it 5-2. Meador then hit a sharp grounder toward third, resulting in the Ram’s second error of the inning and two more runs scoring to bring the Mustangs within one. Strasburg added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning, when Evan Snapp’s triple and a sacrifice fly made it 6-4. Strasburg retired the Mustangs in order in the seventh, holding on for the victory.

In spite of generating just two hits against the Rams, Mason was in the game until the very end. Evan Davis, Jake Abruzzi and Gabe Terry handled the pitching responsibilities for Mason.

The Rams take a 17-1 record (14-1 in district play) into their final regular season game against Clarke County. Strasburg will enter the Conference 35 playoffs as the #1 seed, earning a bye in the first round. Mason faces William Monroe in its final regular season game at home on Wednesday. With a record of 13-6 (11-4), Mason will enter the tournament as the #2 seed, facing the #7 seed in the first round.