Fairfax, Va. - The George Mason softball team was swept today by Hofstra losing 0-10 and 2-11.  Hofstra was coming in on a 13 game winning streak and kept that going, improving their record to 25-8 and 8-0 in the CAA.  Mason fell to 11-19 overall and 1-7 in the CAA.

Mason lost the first game by a score of 10-0 in six innings with the mercy rule taking affect.  This was the largest margin of defeat Mason has seen on the year and the most runs they have given up.   

The Patriots found themselves in an early 0-3 deficit after a first inning that was capped by a two-run homer by Sara Michalowski.  Hofsrta added a run in the third inning, three in the fourth and another three in the sixth to end the game in a mercy rule.  Michalowski had another two-run home run in the sixth to give Hofstra the chance at the mercy rule.  Mason was unable to score in the bottom of the sixth and that is how the game ended.

Megan Blank had Mason's only hits in the game and they were both singles as she finished 2-for-3.  Rachael Davies added the Patriot's only walk. 

Kelsey Byrd started the game managing to pitch 3.2 innings, allowing five hits, six runs (two earned), and walking a batter while she struck out one person.  Amanda Buffington finished the final 2.1 innings giving up seven hits, four earned runs, and three walks.

Mason was unable to do much against Hofstra starter, Olivia Galati, as she pitched all six innings allowing the two hits and one walk.  She struck out 14 Patriots and that tied a season high for the most times Mason has struck out in a game.  That feat last occurred on March 26 against Delaware.    

After giving up a season high 10 runs in the first game, Mason allowed 11 in the second, losing the game 2-11.

The Pride jumped off to a quick start again in the second game as the second batter, Michelle Lavagnino, crushed a home run to right field.  It was her first home run of the year.  After one inning Hofstra led 1-0.   

Hofstra added five runs in the top of the second inning taking advantage of two Mason errors as well as four hits.  The Patriots were able to get out of the inning with no further damage as Hofstra left the bases loaded. 

The Pride made a mercy rule possible once again by adding two runs to their lead in the fourth inning making the score 8-0 but the Patriots would not allow that to happen and scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to bring the score to 2-8.  With one out, Kaila Conlon and Katie Rynex walked.  Tiffany Webb followed with a two run triple, but Hofstra pitcher, Erin Wade, got out of the inning giving up no more runs. 

Three more runs were added for the Pride in the top of the seventh making a comeback that much less likely for Mason.  The Patriots were unable to score in the bottom of the seventh and lost the game.     

Miranda Cranford started for Mason and received the loss lasting just 1.2 innings, allowing five hits, six runs (three earned), and two walks.  Stephanie Maher came in to pitch the middle 4.2 innings giving up six hits, five earned runs, and three walks.  Buffington recorded the final two outs of the game allowing two hits as well. 

Tori Dudley and Tiffany Webb recorded the only two Mason hits.  Webb finished 1-for-3 with a triple and two RBI.  Dudley was 1-for-3 in the game as well. 

Mason will return to action Wednesday, April 13 when they host George Washington in a nonconference game.  That game is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m.