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FAIRFAX, Va. - Manhattan dropped a 3-1 decision to George Mason in the first of three games between the teams at Spuhler Field.
The Jaspers fall to 2-11 while the Patriots improve to 5-8.
In defeat, sophomore RHP Joey Rocchietti (Green Brook, N.J. / Watchung Hills) was outstanding in limiting GMU to just two runs, one earned, on five hits with three strikeouts over 5.0 solid innings of work.
George Mason struck first in the bottom of the fifth with an unearned run as Andrew Sable made Manhattan pay for a fielding error with a two-out RBI single to open the scoring.
After being limited to just an Evan Brown (So., Ashburnham, Mass. / Cushing Academy) double over the first five innings, the Jaspers threated in the top of the sixth. Senior Joe McClennan (Highland Mills, N.Y. / Cornwall) roped a one-out single before moving to third on a Jose Carrera (So., Miami, Fla. / St. Brendan) double. Unfortunately, the duo would be left stranded as Patriot starter RHP Tyler Zombro struck out the next batter he faced and got the final out on a routine grounder.
GMU added to the lead with a bases loaded RBI walk while forcing Rocchietti from the game. However, sophomore RHP Matt Simonetti (Manalapan, N.J. / Manalapan) struck out the side to limit the damage to just one run.
After going in order in the seventh, Manhattan finally got on the board in the eighth. Reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Player of the Week junior Chris Reynolds (Wall, N.J. / Wall) singled with one out before stealing second. McClennan then moved him to third with a single. On the ensuing play, Carrera reached on a fielder's choice and advanced all the way to second as Reynolds scored to trim the deficit to 2-1.
However, that would be it as George Mason went to the bullpen and Joe Williams stranded McClennan and Carrera in scoring position with a pair of strikeouts.
The Patriots would tack on an insurance run in the bottom part of the frame before Tyler Tobin got the final three outs in the ninth in collecting his second save of the season.
McClennan paced a five-hit Manhattan attack, going 2-for-3.
Sable, Trevor Kelly and Michael Smith all notched two hits to highlight an eight-hit George Mason effort.
Rocchietti (0-3) was saddled with the loss while Zombro (2-1) earned the win, striking out seven while surrendering one run on five hits over 7.1 innings of work.
The teams will continue their series at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 14.
