FAIRFAX, VA (March 24, 2001) -- Old Dominion scored three runs in the first inning and two in the ninth and held off a George Mason rally in the bottom of the ninth to defeat the Patriots, 5-4, in a Colonial Athletic Association college baseball game Saturday afternoon at *Hap* Spuhler Field. The Monarchs are now 11-15 overall and 4-1 in the CAA,while GMU is 8-13 overall and 0-2 in the CAA.

It was ODU's third straight win and fourth straight league win on the road.

The Monarchs scored three unearned runs in the top of the first inning as freshman Mark Michael(Gibbstown, NJ.) and sophomore John Oehler (Audobon, Nj.) had back-to-back doubles and junior Jeff Eure (Pillow,Pa.) followed with a single.

The Patriots made it 3-2 in the bottom of the third as junior Stephen Johnson (3-5, 3 RBI) hit a two-run home run, his third of the season.

The game settled into a pitcher's duel from there, with George Mason sophomore Chris Murray (0-1) retiring 15 straight batters until Eure singled and junior Travis Silver (Weaverville, NC) hit a two-run homer, his third of the year, with two outs in the ninth.

George Mason scored twice in the bottom of the ninth as senior Eddie Jordan drove in a run with a groundout and Johnson brought home another with a single, but it was not enough as Old Dominion sophomore Kevin Evans(Shamong,NJ.) got junior Brian Anderson (2-5) to fly out to end the game for his third save.

George Mason and Old Dominion conclude their three-game series at Spuhler Field Sunday at 1 p.m.