FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason scored three runs in the fifth to pull away to a 5-3 final in game one of a softball doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.
 
It was a scoreless pitchers' duel through four innings. George Mason broke the scoreless tie with three runs in the bottom of the fifth thanks to singles from Maddy Myers and Marlaina Bozek.
 
The Leopards answered with two runs of their own in the top of the sixth inning. With Natasha Miner (single) and Harlie Bickett aboard, Grace Harvey singled in two runs. Lafayette trailed 3-2.
 
The hosts added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Leopard starter Kinzi Van Wyk struck out the first two batters of the inning, but walked the third, Sydney Bales. Bales stole second and scored on an E.J. Bankson single. Bankson later scored on a wild pitch as the Patriots led 5-2.
 
The Leopards rallied in the bottom of the seventh despite George Mason retiring the first two batters of the inning. Lafayette loaded the bases for Bickett who came through with an RBI-single. The game ended one batter later when Harvey grounded out for the 5-3 final.
 
Van Wyk was dealt her first loss of the season, allowing three runs (none of which were earned) on five hits . She struck out three and walked one. Morrigan Gardiner threw the final 1.1 innings, allowing two unearned runs on one hit with a pair of strikeouts. Carly Cooper collected the win, giving up three runs on three hits with four walks and two strikeouts.