ARLINGTON, Va. – The William & Mary baseball team's rally fell just short as they dropped the regular season finale 5-4 at George Washington on Friday afternoon. With the decision the Tribe finishes the regular season at 22-28, while the Colonials improve to 30-20 on the season.
Freshman Cullen Large led the Tribe going 2-for-4 with an RBI in the game. Senior Devin White, junior Josh Smith, and sophomore Ryder Miconi all drove in runs for the Green and Gold.
The Tribe scored a run in the top of the first inning taking an early lead. Large led off the game with a double into the right center field gap. After an out and a walk to senior Willie Shaw, Devin White singled into right center, giving the Tribe an early 1-0 lead.
George Washington pushed across a run in the bottom of the first. Joey Bartosic led off the inning with a bunt, moving to second on a stolen base, and to third on an error on the relay throw. The next batter Bobby Campbell flew out to right, tying the score 1-1.
W&M came right back with a run in the top of the second inning. Freshman Zach Newell led off the frame with a walk, moving to second on a stolen base. After a walk to sophomore Porter Reinhart, Large came through with his second hit of the day, giving the Tribe a 2-1 lead.
The lead was short lived as the Colonials answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Brandon Chapman sparked the rally with a double down the left field line, moving to third on a groundout. A walk to Ryan Xepoleas put runners on the corners, before Kevin Mahala singled, tying the score. A fielder's choice by Mark Osis allowed for the second run of the inning to score, before Batosic grounded out, giving GW a 4-2 lead.
W&M started a rally in the top of the eighth inning, but only plated one run. With two outs, freshman Luca Farina walked moving to second on an infield single by Newell. The next batter, sophomore Ryder Miconi doubled cutting the score to 4-3, but George Washington was able to pitch out of a bases loaded jam to preserve the one-run lead.
George Washington answered with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Andrew Shelby blasted a solo homer over the right field wall, making the score 5-3.
The Tribe rallied and put the tying run in scoring position, but only mustered one run in the ninth. Devin White reached on a hit by pitch, moving to third on a double by sophomore Tim Hoehn. A ground out by Smith allowed Devin White to score, cutting the score to 5-4.
Sophomore Nick Brown made the start for the Green and Gold going just three innings. He allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits, but was saddled with his third loss of the season. Junior Mitchell Aker fired the final five innings in relief. He allowed just one run on four hits, while recording a strikeout.
The Green and Gold await its fate for next week's 2015 CAA Baseball Championship. Be sure to stay tuned to TribeAthletics.com for all Tribe baseball needs.
