Fairfax, Va. - The George Mason softball team swept their games in the first day of the Cherry Blossom Classic today.  They defeated Monmouth and shut out Albany allowing just two runs the entire day.  They improved their record to 9-7 on the season.

Mason used a three run fifth inning to defeat Monmouth by a score of 3-2.  Down 1-0 in the fifth Tiffany Webb and Lauren McColgan each started off with singles.  Alyssa See singled to third base but advanced on a throwing error by the catcher allowing Webb to score from second and McColgan to head to third.  Rachael Davies hit a clutch two out single to left field to score See and McColgan.

Monmouth answered back in the top of the sixth inning bringing the score to 3-2 but three runs would prove to be all the offense the Patriots would need to pick up the victory.

Rachael Davies finished the game with a 1-for-3 performance recording both of Mason's RBI.  McColgan, See, Reagan Doiron and Webb all recorded a hit as well.

Miranda Cranford started the game pitching four innings, allowing six hits, one unearned run, walking one and striking out one batter.  Stephanie Maher came in to finish the game, pitching the final three innings allowing two hits, one earned run, and a walk.  She picked up the win bringing her record to 4-1 on the year. 

Game two for Mason ended in a 6-0 shutout over Albany with a great pitching performance from Kelsey Byrd .  The Patriots took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning with Emily Lafferty starting the second with a single through the right side.  Brooke Tickle came in to pinch run and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Katie Rynex .  Freshman Kaila Conlon followed with a double to left center that brought Tickle home from second. 

Mason added to their lead in the fifth inning by scoring two runs.  The inning started with a walk from Lauren McColgan.  She moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Alyssa See .  Tori Dudley and Rachael Davies both walked to load the passes.  With two outs and the bases loaded Emily Lafferty blasted a two run single to center field that scored McColgan and Dudley. 

Three more runs were added to Mason's lead in the top of the seventh inning thanks to four errors committed by Albany.  Dudley and Davies each recorded hits in the inning to help bring the score to 6-0.

Emily Lafferty put together a 2-for-3 performance with two RBI in the game.  Kaila Conlon picked up the other RBI for Mason with a 1-for-2 day and a double.  Tori Dudley scored two runs while walking twice and batting 1-for-2.  Katie Rynex went 2-for-3 and Davies and Doiron each recorded a hit. 

Kelsey Byrd pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out four batters.  She brought a no-hitter into the sixth inning but lost it on a leadoff blooper over the head of Megan Blank at third by Diane MacDowell.  Byrd improved her season record to 3-2 and had her third complete game shutout.

Mason will play again tomorrow at 5:15 p.m. when they take on Cornell.  The Cherry Blossom Classic will resume at 10:30 a.m. when Monmouth and Albany play against each other.  Monmouth and Cornell will play at 12:45 p.m. and Albany and Howard will play at 3:00 p.m.