Fairfax, Va. – (May 15, 2025) – George Mason's James Quinn-Irons hit a game-winning three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a wild affair, as Patriots defeated the Fordham Rams, 8-6 at Spuhler Field on Thursday afternoon.
George Mason opened the scoring with two runs in the first inning. The first run came on an RBI-single by James Quinn-Irons, while the second came in on a Fordham error.
The Patriots then benefited from an inconclusive replay, which could have been the third out of the sixth inning. George Mason though got a run on the play, as well as an RBI-single by Jonny Wall to go up by a 4-0 count.
Fordham got on the board in the seventh, as
Anthony Grabau walked and moved to third on a pair of ground outs.
Madden Ocko then doubled down the right field line to score Grabau, making it 4-1.
The Rams then rallied for four runs in the eighth to take a 5-4 lead.
Taylor Kirk led off with a single to the right side and moved to second on a walk to
Daniel Bucciero.
Andrew Kanellis then poked a double down the left field line to score Kirk from second. After a pitching change, Grabau reached on an error which plated another run.
Matt Dieguez followed with a slow ground ball that stopped on the third base line for a fair ball, scoring Kanellis from third and tying the game at four.
Cian Sahler then gave Fordham the lead with a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Grabau from third.
Fordham added to the lead in the ninth, manufacturing a run on a hit by pitch, a sacrifice bunt, and an RBI-single by Kirk.
The Patriots then put together their own late inning rally in the bottom of the ninth, as two Fordham errors led to a run being scored with two outs and two on base. Quinn-Irons followed with a walk-off three-run home run to left, his 14
th of the season, giving George Mason the 8-6 win.
The rally spoiled an outstanding outing by Fordham starting pitcher
Mike Rabayda, as he went eight innings, allowing one earned run with six strikeouts. At the plate, Kirk was 2-for-5 with an RBI, while Kanellis, Grabau, Dieguez and Ocko each had a hit and an RBI.
Game two of the series is set for 1:00 PM on Friday.
