Baseball Closes Opening Weekend at Auburn

Sunday, February 19

Auburn, AL

1:00 PM

George Washington University

1-3

Auburn

3-1

George Washington

Auburn

2/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Feb. 19, 2017

Box Score

AUBURN, Ala. - The George Washington baseball team carried a 2-1 lead into the sixth inning but the homestanding Auburn Tigers posted a trio of runs in the bottom half of the frame to deal the Colonials a 4-3 loss in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Plainsman Park.

Junior Robbie Metz pitched to a no decision in his season debut on the mound, allowing one run while scattering eight hits across five innings of work.

Metz was staked a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first inning as GW scored first with a pair of runs on three hits and an error to open the game. Junior centerfielder Joey Bartosic led off the game by driving a double to the gap in right-center field and then moved up to third on a sacrifice bunt. Junior Mark Osis then ripped a RBI double down the right-field line to give the Colonials a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Metz helped his own cause by driving Bartosic in on an error to extend the lead to 2-0.

Metz worked around a pair of base hits in the bottom of the first but yielded his only run of the game in the top of the second inning when Auburn (3-1) pushed across one run on three hits. He allowed one hit in each of the next three innings but kept the Colonials in front, 2-1, entering the sixth inning.

Junior Tyler Swiggart took the ball to open the bottom of the sixth but allowed back-to-back singles, a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk to load the bases with one out. He got the next batter out via a strikeout but then was hit for a bases-clearing double that put Auburn on top, 4-2.

GW attempted a rally in the top of the seventh when the Colonials loaded the bases with one out on a single by freshman Nate Fassnacht, a catcher's interference and a walk by Bobby Campbell. Metz provided a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to one but GW was unable to take further advantage.

Freshman Jaret Edwards and sophomore John Greeley each turned in scoreless innings of relief out of the bullpen, but the Colonials' offense was unable to complete the comeback.

Fassnachet (2-for-4, one run), Osis (2-for-4, one double, one run) and Metz (2-for-4, two RBI) all finished with multiple hits to lead the offense.

GW will return north for its home opener on Wednesday against Delaware State. First pitch from Tucker Field is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.