FAIRFAX, Va. (Interstat) — Christian Hamilton’s two-run homer in the fifth inning provided the decisive runs as the Georgetown Hoyas held off a late rally to defeat the George Mason Patriots 6-5 on Friday afternoon at Spuhler Field.

The game, which concluded under the lights, saw the Hoyas build an early lead and rely on a string of relievers to secure the win after starter Kai Leckszas delivered a dominant performance. Georgetown improved to 9-5, while George Mason fell to 5-6.

Leckszas, Georgetown’s top star, earned the win with five strong innings. He allowed two earned runs on four hits and struck out two. His outing was a continuation of his recent form, following a six-inning, one-run performance against Fairleigh Dickinson on Feb. 27.

Georgetown struck first in the second inning against Patriots starter Owen Stewart. Jeremy Sheffield singled and Christian Hamilton walked. After a sacrifice bunt, Connor Price doubled to left field, driving in both runners for a 2-0 lead.

The Hoyas added a run in the third on an RBI single from Hamilton, scoring AJ Solomon, who had advanced to third on a throwing error. George Mason responded in the fourth inning, cutting the deficit to 3-2. Julius Bagnerise scored on a single from Vincent Cowdrey, who later came home on an RBI single from Drew Canody.

The most important sequence of the game came in the top of the fifth. With Stewart out and reliever Tanner Kaler on the mound, Georgetown loaded the bases with one out. Brandon Hsu entered from the bullpen for George Mason and immediately surrendered a wild pitch that allowed Solomon to score. On the next pitch, Hamilton launched a two-run home run to right field, extending the Hoyas’ lead to 6-2.

From there, the Patriots chipped away. They scored a run in the sixth on an RBI groundout from Owen Clyne. In the seventh, they mounted their most serious threat. A double from Jake Butler drove in a run, and Butler later scored on a throwing error by pitcher Drew Jergins, pulling George Mason within a run at 6-5. The Patriots loaded the bases with two outs, but reliever Luke Jackman entered and induced an inning-ending fielder’s choice to escape the jam.

Jackman and Ethan Rucker combined for 2 1/3 innings of hitless relief to preserve the lead. Jackman pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings, and Rucker recorded a key strikeout in the seventh. George Mason put the tying run in scoring position in the ninth after singles from Cowdrey and Clyne, but Jackman got Lucas Alberti to ground out to shortstop to end the game.

Hamilton finished 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs for Georgetown, which managed seven hits. Cowdrey was a standout for George Mason, going a perfect 4 for 4 with an RBI and a walk. The Patriots out-hit the Hoyas 12 to 7 but stranded 11 baserunners and made two sacrifice hits.

Tyson Willis provided excellent relief for George Mason, throwing three perfect innings with four strikeouts. Stewart took the loss, allowing three earned runs over four innings.

The game defied pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had projected an 8-5 Georgetown victory, while its ELO system gave George Mason a 56.4% probability to win.

The two teams continue their series on Saturday at Georgetown.