Baltimore, Md. - The George Mason softball team lost a close game today when they traveled to face UMBC.  The Retrievers used a two-run sixth to beat the Patriots 3-1.  Mason was held to just four hits but allowed only five with each team making two errors.  UMBC base runners were all over the diamond as the stole seven bases; three from Lynn Pronobis and two from Julia Culotta.  Mason dropped to 7-7 on the year and UMBC rose to 7-9.   

UMBC took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning off of an RBI infield single by Ashley Carver.  Mason's lone run came in the fifth inning and tied the game 1-1.  The run was unearned and started when Samantha Barney reached on a throwing error by the pitcher with one out.  Tiffany Webb followed with a bunt single that advanced Barney to second.  Both runners would move up after a ground out from Lauren McColgan and Barney scored when Alyssa See hit an RBI single to left field.

A questionable call and an error would lead to two runs for the Retrievers in the sixth inning.  After a single and a ground out, Katie Ferguson hit a liner to McColgan that she thought was caught before it hit the ground.  The call on the field was that it was not a catch and it left runners on the corners with one out.  A ground out by Angela Yannone scored Lynn Pronobis and a fielding error by Katie Rynex on the next play let another run cross the plate.

Freshman catcher Tiffany Webb had two of the Patriot's four hits finishing the game 2-for-3.  Alyssa See came away with a 1-for-4 performance and an RBI, while Samantha Barney scored Mason's only run. 

Miranda Cranford got the start for Mason and pitched three innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three batters.  She was replaced by Kelsey Byrd in the fourth who pitched two innings giving up two hits, an earned run and one walk and struck out a batter.  Stephanie Maher pitched the final inning and received the loss after giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits. 

UMBC pitcher, Stephanie Weigman, pitched a complete game giving up four hits, an unearned run and one walk.  She ended the night with 12 strike outs.

Mason will play again Friday through Sunday, March 18-20, when they host the Cherry Blossom Classic.  They welcome Cornell, Albany, Monmouth and Howard University.  The first game is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday.