By Carol Sly

Tuesday night, playing in the Bull Run District semifinal at home against rival Central High School, George Mason High School’s baseball team achieved a rare sweep, beating the Falcons for the third time this season. The regular season games included an extra innings thriller of a win at Woodstock and a taut 3-1 victory at home earlier this month. The Mustangs had ace Jay Nesson (top) on the mound and the Falcons countered with their best, Sam Shifflett. Central scored a lone run in the top of the third. Mason had runners on base most every inning.

THE PITCHERS CONTINUED the duel into the bottom of the 6th inning when Mason had a single by Johnny Asel (bottom), who stole second and then was able to score for the tie on a single by Jay Nesson. Brian Murphy came into bat, after being cleared that day to play after an injury, hitting a double that scored Nesson for the win. Nesson completed the game in the 7th, allowing only two hits and one earned run for the win. Mason plays Strasburg on Thursday at home for the District title. Earlier this month Mason closed out the regular season with wins over Clarke and Madison, finishing with a 8-2 regular record, good for their first Bull Run regular season title since 2010.