Fairfax, Va.—The George Mason softball team split a double header in day two of the Patriot Classic at the George Mason Softball complex Saturday afternoon.  The Patriots fell to Rider in the first game 4-1, but used a seventh inning comeback to defeat Cornell 2-1.

In the first game, Rider sought revenge after being shutout Friday in the Classic opener.  Pitcher Krysti Maronski was dominant as she went all seven innings, only giving up two hits, surrendering an unearned run, walking two, and striking out three.  Mason freshmen pitchers Stephanie Maher and Kelsey Byrd combined for six innings, surrendering nine hits, four earned runs, two walks, and two strikeouts.

Rider had a three-run fifth inning to break a 1-1 tie and seal the Patriots' fate.  Kehli Washington walked to lead off the inning.  Jen Steward than reached on an error, putting runners at first and second.  The runners advanced on a groundout to second.  After a strikeout, Heather Muscara hit a single bringing in both runners and then advanced to third after a collision at the plate.  Sam Pugh capped off the scoring with a single bringing in Muscara.

The second game was a pitchers duel.  Miranda Cranford went all seven innings, giving up five hits, an earned run, walking none, and striking out three.  The win brings her season record to 2-0.  Cornell starter Elizabeth Dalrymple went 6 2/3 innings, surrendering six hits, two runs (one earned), walking four, and striking out five.

Mason trailed 1-0 going into the bottom of the seventh after the Big Red's Christina Villalon hit a solo home run in the fourth.  Megan Blank led off the inning with a single.  Tori Dudley then put down a sacrifice bunt to put Blank in scoring position.  Alyssa See then reached on an error.  Reagan Doiron struck out to put the game on the line as Rachael Davies stepped up to the plate.  Davies wasted no time, hitting a walk-off double on the first pitch into the right-center field gap, giving the Patriots a 2-1 victory.

The split brings the Patriots overall record to 5-4.  After beating the Patriots, Rider lost to Cornell leaving them at 1-5.  The double header was Cornell's first two games of the year, putting them at 1-1.   There is a change in tomorrow's schedule.  The Patriots will play Cornell both games instead of both Rider and Cornell.  Weather permitting, first pitch is scheduled for 9 a.m.