WILMINGTON, N.C. – Appalachian State University baseball battled through five tough scoreless innings as each pitcher worked the zone, but ultimately fell 3-1 to George Mason on Saturday morning at Brooks Field.
The Mountaineers (0-2) began the day with sophomore Colin Schmid on the mound. The portsider went 5.2 innings and allowed just five hits through five innings and seven hits overall. He finished just three strikeouts shy of his career-high nine.
Providing relief in the sixth inning was junior Reed Howell. Despite inheriting two runners, Howell didn't allow a run in the sixth and would finish the game with 2.1 innings pitched, just two hits allowed and two punchouts with one run allowed in the eighth.
Appalachian broke the scoreless streak first in the top of the sixth when junior Conner Leonard ripped one down the left-field line for a stand-up double. Junior catcher Chandler Seagle then shot one right over the infield to center field to bring Leonard all the way around for the Black and Gold's lone run.
The Patriots (1-1) ended up scoring their three runs in the sixth and eighth. In the sixth, Tyler Nelin doubled to left center bringing around Logan Driscoll and Michael Smith before Brady Acker singled to deep left field and scored Alejandro Aponte home.
Halfway through the Hughes Bros. Challenge in Wilmington, N.C., the Mountaineers continue this afternoon at 6 p.m. when they play VMI for the second time of the weekend at Brooks Field.
