To get an accurate measurement on the distance of Scott Krieger’s recent towering home run against Longwood, George Mason may need to invest in some professional surveying services.
With his seventh-inning shot against the Lancers on April 17, Krieger, a sophomore left fielder, not only cleared the left field wall at Raymond H. “Hap” Spuhler Field, but also breached the fence of George Mason Stadium up the hill another 20 feet before finally coming to rest in the middle of the lacrosse field. The consensus is Krieger easily topped 500 feet.
“I haven’t even seen it in practice,” said longtime Patriots head coach Bill Brown, now in his 26th season. Spuhler Field opened in 1986. “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen the ball clear the fence up at the top of the hill and hit on the track.”
Big bats have been one of the key storylines this spring for the Patriots (23-21, 12-10 Colonial Athletic Association), who have a slim hold on fourth place in the CAA entering the final seven games of the regular season.
Krieger entered last weekend tied for sixth in the nation before his 17th home run of the year, putting him three shy of the Patriots single-season record of 20.
“To be up there, it shows that hard works been paying off,” said Krieger. “Hopefully I can stay up there and as long as I can take good, consistent swings and guys are continuing to get on, good things will happen.”
Brown can’t remember the last time he had four players with double-digit homers. Junior third baseman Chris Fournier (10 HR, 36 RBI) hits in front of Krieger, and Westfield High alumni and brothers Jason Bour (10 HR, 39 RBI) and Justin Bour (12 HR, 42 RBI) hit right behind him.
“That’s a pretty nice little cocoon to have,” said Brown. “It’s pick your poison a little bit in terms of if you really choose to pitch around somebody, you might have to pay the price anyway.”
After a midseason swoon, George Mason has won five of its last seven, including two 11-run explosions last weekend against the Tigers.
“During the year we were going up and down,” said Krieger. “But I think this past weekend showed that our bats are definitely back and are going to be a big part of our run at the conference tournament.”
