WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — A late rally fell short as William & Mary left the bases loaded in the ninth inning, falling to George Mason 8-7 on Wednesday evening at Plumeri Park.

The Tribe (20-28) lost despite out-hitting the Patriots 13-6. Center fielder Ben Parker extended his school-record hitting streak to 34 games, going 3-for-4 with two runs and two walks.

HOW IT HAPPENED
George Mason (33-16) began the scoring with a couple runs in the first inning off Tribe starter Phin Scott.

W&M had an immediate response, plating three in the bottom of the first. The rally started with a leadoff single from Parker, followed by a single from left fielder Lucas Carmichael.

Third baseman Jamie Laskofski drove in the Tribe's first run with a base knock that plated Parker. A sacrifice bunt by Derek Holmes tied the game at 2-2. In the ensuing at-bat, first baseman Anthony Greco poked a single to right field that put W&M ahead 3-2, part of a five-hit inning.

W&M tacked on one more in the second when Parker scored thanks to a George Mason fielding error. Scott settled down on the mound in his second inning of work, retiring the Patriots in order.

GMU would get one back in the third before adding two more in the fourth to take a 5-4 lead. A pair of triples in the sixth inning allowed the Patriots to extend their lead to 7-4.

The Tribe offense went quiet in the middle innings before bursting through again in the eighth. With two runners on, Laskofski singled up the middle to cut the lead to 8-6. Second baseman Henry Jackson later came up clutch with a two-out RBI single, trimming the Patriots' lead to one.

The hit was part of an impressive return for Jackson as the grad student went 3-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in his first start since February.

After RHP Reed Interdonato tossed a scoreless ninth, the Tribe loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth with the potential winning run at second. However, a fly out ended the threat as GMU's Michael Bilo earned the save.

Jake Drumm was the pitcher of record for the Patriots. Chad Yates took the loss for the Tribe.

STAT NUGGETS

• Parker's 34-game hit streak ties the CAA record, currently held by three players (Chris Baker, Old Dominion; Matt Townsend, James Madison; Mark Brockell, James Madison).
• Laskofski was 2-for-5 with three RBI and a pair of runs.
• In addition to Interdonato, RHP Jack Weight, LHP Ryan Feczko, and RHP Daniel Lingle all notched scoreless appearances on the mound.
• Lingle made his nation-leading 28th appearance.
• The Tribe was hurt by 16 runners left on base.

UP NEXT
W&M will conclude the home portion of the schedule with a three-game series against Northeastern beginning on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. on FloSports.