Fairfax, Va. - The George Mason softball team lost a 6-5 decision as they hosted George Washington on Wednesday.  The Colonials used a big sixth inning in which they scored five runs to beat the Patriots.  Mason dropped to 12-20 overall and George Washington improved to 12-17-1.

The Patriots struck first in the bottom of the first inning scoring two runs to lead 2-0.  With one out in the inning Megan Blank reached on a fielding error by the second baseman.  Tori Dudley followed with a single to left field and Blank scored off of an RBI single up the middle by Rachael Davies.  A wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third and Emily Lafferty brought home Dudley on a sacrifice fly to right field. 

Mason added one in the bottom of the third to increase their lead to 3-0.  Lauren McColgan singled through the right side to start the inning and Dudley hit a one out double to left field to score McColgan all the way from first base. 

The lead was cut to two runs as George Washington put up one run in the top of the fifth.  They used a Mason error and two hits to bring the score to 1-3.

The Patriots responded to the Colonials run with a two run bottom of the fifth.  After Dudley reached base on an error by the shortstop, Emily Lafferty blasted a deep two-run home run to dead center.  That brought Mason's lead up to 5-1. 

The Colonials used a huge inning to take their first lead of the game as they scored five runs in the top of the sixth.  George Washington took advantage of an error, two walks and three hits to take a 6-5 lead. 

Megan Blank started the bottom of the seventh with a leadoff single but Mason was unable to capitalize and lost the game 5-6. 

Kelsey Byrd started the game and pitched a total of six innings, allowing six hits and two runs (none earned) while striking out one.  She received the loss which was her eighth of the year.  Amanda Buffington pitched one inning, giving up three hits, four runs (two earned), and two walks before Byrd reentered the game in the sixth.  She also struck out two batters.   

Lafferty finished the game 1-for-2 with a home run, three RBI, and a run scored.  Dudley was 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored.  McColgan, Davies, Blank, Kaila Conlon , Samantha Barney , and Tiffany Webb all each recorded singles.  Davies had an RBI as well. 

The Patriots will next travel to Towson to take on the Tigers in a weekend conference series.  There will be a doubleheader on Saturday, April 16 and a single game on Sunday.  The first game is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.