FAIRFAX, Va. (Interstat) — George Mason pounded out 11 hits and scored 17 runs to defeat La Salle 17-5 on Thursday afternoon at Spuhler Field. The Patriots improved to 25-24 while the Explorers fell to 24-29.

George Mason exploded for five unearned runs in the first inning, capped by Julius Bagnerise’s three-run homer. La Salle answered with back-to-back solo homers from Rueben Livingston and Jayden Novak in the second to tie the game 5-5, but the Patriots regained control on Owen Clyne’s two-run blast in the bottom of the inning.

The Patriots added a run in the fourth and broke the game open with seven runs in the eighth. Luciano Terilli doubled in two runs, Evan Blanchard was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Drew Canody delivered a three-run homer to make it 17-5. La Salle scored twice in the ninth on Chase Swain’s two-run single but could not complete the rally.

Logan Rumberg earned the win for George Mason. The teams meet again Friday and Saturday to continue the series.