Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

Boxscore

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason burst out of the gate with eight runs in the first two innings as the Patriots completed a three-game sweep against the University of Delaware baseball team with an 11-4 victory over the Hens during a Colonial Athletic Association battle on Sunday afternoon at Spuhler Field.

Pat Dameron (at right) roped three hits and scored twice, while Steve Ulaky knocked in a pair and clubbed his fifth home run of the season. However, Delaware (20-18, 3-9 CAA) could not match the quick-strike offense of George Mason (26-12, 10-5) as the Patriots captured their sixth straight victory against the Hens.

Mason opened the scoring early in the first after Jeremy Haas and Brig Tison punched back-to-back singles before Ryan Soares lofted a sacrifice fly to right. Later, Shane Davis smacked an RBI double to left center and Dan Schafferman knocked in another with a ground out to wrap up a three-run first.

Delaware immediately answered in the top of the second with a two-run rally. Josh Dean led off with single to right before Dameron launched an RBI double into left center. Following a sacrifice bunt by Hank Yates, Ulaky lined an RBI single to right that pulled the Hens back within one at 3-2.

Unfortunately, the Patriots fired back in the bottom of the inning. Schafferman and Mark Hill each knocked in a pair with two-run singles, while Davis recorded his second RBI double in as many innings to help Mason jump out to an 8-2 lead.

With a comfortable advantage, GMU starter Chris O’Grady settled in on the mound. Following Delaware’s two-run outburst, the freshman southpaw retired 13 Hens in a row between the second and the sixth.

Delaware capitalized on its own strong pitching performance in the middle innings to keep the game within reach. Reliever Matt Harden took over in the second and helped the Hens remain in the game. During his appearance, he scattered three hits and struck out four while allowing only one run in 4.1 innings of work.

Trailing by seven, the Hens finally found their groove again in the seventh. Dameron opened the inning with a triple to right before Yates knocked him in with an RBI ground out. Ulaky followed with a solo blast to right that pulled UD back within five at 9-4.

Unfortunately, the modest rally was not enough to carry Delaware back into the game as George Mason plated two more in the bottom of the eighth to complete the three-game sweep with an 11-4 win.

O’Grady (3-0) picked up the victory for Mason with 7.1 strong innings on the hill. He eventually finished the game with five strikeouts while scattering four runs on seven hits. Eric Buckland (3-4) took the loss after allowing eight runs in 1.2 innings of work.

Delaware will return to action on Tuesday when the squad hosts Rutgers at 3 p.m.