FAIRFAX, Va. – The series opener between George Mason University's softball team and Saint Joseph's was halted in the seventh inning Saturday with Mason leading 3-0.

Play will continue 11 a.m. Sunday with Saint Joseph's at bat with no outs and runners on second and third. Sophomore Marina Vitalich will continue pitching for Mason after striking out six batters in the first six innings.

Shortly after the halt in Fairfax, George Washington dropped its series opener to Rhode Island in Washington. This means that if Mason closes out the series opener or wins one of the two games that follow, the Patriots will guarantee their spot in next week's the Atlantic 10 Championship. The championship will take place at the George Mason University Softball Complex May 10-13.

Mason enjoyed a quick start against the Hawks and scored runs by junior Brooke Sullivan and freshman Sydnee Wells after loading the bases with no outs in the first inning. Sullivan then hit a double with two outs in the following inning to add to the lead with the Patriots' first RBI of the game.