Bulldogs drop pitcher's duel, 1-0

KELICH THROWS TWO-HITTER IN DEFEAT

FAIRFAX, Va. – Junior right-hander Peter Kelich (Jackson, N.J.) allowed just one run on two hits over seven innings but Mick Foley's sixth-inning home run was all the scoring needed as George Mason defeated the Bryant University baseball team, 1-0, in rainy conditions Friday afternoon at Spuhler Field.

Playing amidst a steady downpour, Foley's drive to right pierced through the rain, clearing the right field wall for the only run either team would score on the afternoon. In all, there were just 5 combined hits and only two runners advanced past second base. The loss was the fifth-straight for the Bulldogs (2-5), while the Patriots (5-3) won their fourth-straight.

Both teams had scoring opportunities in the fifth inning but both came up empty. Bryant had the first chance as senior Mike DelPonte (Tewksbury, Mass.) laced a one-out double into the left-center field gap. Classmate Jamie Skagerlind (Holden, Mass.) followed with a sharp-single through the right side to put runners on the corners with one out. Skagerlind advanced to second on a wild pitch but the Bulldogs could not score either runner.

Mason had a great chance in the bottom of the inning as an infield error, single and a hit batter loaded the bases with two outs. Kelich worked out the jam though, getting Brig Tison to ground out to second base to end the inning.

Bryant put together one final rally in the ninth inning but could not break through against the Patriots closer, Chris O'Grady. Pinch-hitting, junior Adam Claire (Litchfield, Conn.) worked a one-out walk and was pinch-run for by freshman Ben Lipper (Westport, Conn.). Junior Kevin Brown (Northborough, Mass.) followed but his liner to right turned into a game-ending double play as Lipper was attempting to steal second on the pitch and was doubled off at first.

Beyond that, it was a pitcher's duel between Kelich and Mason starter Anthony Montefusco. After missing last year with Tommy John surgery, Montefusco picked up his second win of the season with eight shutout innings. He allowed just three hits and struck out 12 on the afternoon. After allowing a single to David Soltis (Plainville, Conn.) to start the second, Montefusco set down 10-straight before DelPonte's double in the fifth.  He rebounded to set down the final 11 batters he faced.

Making his third start of the season as well, Kelich allowed just two hits over seven innings and struck out four. He struck out a pair in a 1-2-3 second and set the Patriots down in order in his final inning of work in the seventh. He held Mason hitless for the first 4.1 innings until Jake Leonardo's slow ground ball alluded both himself and sophomore second baseman Joseph Carcone (New Hartford, N.Y.). Jonathan Cohen (Norwalk, Conn.) pitched the eighth for the Bulldogs, setting Mason down in order.

Bryant and George Mason continue the three-game weekend series on Saturday with a 2:00 p.m. first pitch. Sophomore Joseph Michaud (Milford, Conn.) is scheduled to take the hill for the Black and Gold.