FAIFAX, Va. - The Hofstra Pride put together a five run fifth inning as they defeated the George Mason baseball team, 8-3, on Sunday afternoon at Spuhler Field.

For the first time in the weekend series Mason (10-5, 2-1 CAA) struck first, driving in a run in the fourth inning to take a 1-0 lead. Senior outfielder Dan Schafferman was hit by a pitch to start the inning and then advanced to scoring position as he stole second base. Senior designated hitter Zack Helgeson struck out swinging for the first out of the inning, but redshirt sophomore Josh Leemhuis lined an RBI single up the middle to bring home Schafferman and give Mason the lead.

Hofstra (5-9, 1-2) responded in its half of the fifth inning, posting five runs to go up, 5-1. With one out, third baseman T.J. Thomas singled to right and was followed by a walk to designated hitter Bryan Verbitsky and a single by catcher Matt Reistetter to load the bases. The next batter, outfielder Austin Nyman, muffed a hit between the mound and home plate but Mason pitcher A.J. Johnson was unable to come up with the ball, allowing Nyman to advance to first base and Thomas to score from third to tie the game at 1-1. With the bases still loaded, shortstop Dalton Rouleau lined a shot down the right field line to drive in two runs and extend the Hofstra lead to 3-1. Outfielder Danny Poma then reached on a fielders choice to score Nyman and the final Pride run crossed home plate on a RBI single from second baseman Matt Ford to give HU the 5-1 lead.

The Patriots added a run in the home half of the sixth inning, as senior shortstop Brig Tison scored on a wild pitch to bring the score to 5-2, but Hofstra added a run in the seventh and two in the eighth, bringing the score to 8-2 in favor of the visitors.

Mason attempted a rally in the bottom of the ninth, as senior catcher Jake Leonardo reached second on a two-base error by Hofstra center fielder Taylor Stuart with one out. Junior outfielder Nick Allen singled to right to advance Leonardo to third, who made it home on an RBI groundout by junior second baseman Chris Cook that left the score at 8-3. Tison followed with a single up the middle, but the game ended as Schafferman grounded into a fielder's choice to put Tison out at second base.

Allen finished the day 2-for-4 at the plate, while Cook (0-for-4) and Leemhuis (1-for-3) each had one RBI.

Johnson (1-3) started the contest strong, striking out five of his first 10 batters faced through four innings, but struggled in the fifth inning to take the loss. He thre 4.1 innings with five hits, five runs (four earned), two walks and five strikeouts. Redshirt sophomore Sean Cabrera worked 2.1 innings of relief, giving up a hit and one unearned run with two strikeouts. Also throwing in relief for the Patriots was sophomore Neight Hoffa (1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO) and redshirt senior Branden Bartlett (1.0 IP, 2 H).

Leading Hofstra was Rouleau, who went 2-for-5 at the plate with four RBI's and one run scored.

 Hofstra starter David Jesch (2-0) earned the win, throwing 5.0 innings with one hit, one run, one walk and five strikeouts.

The Patriots return to action on Tuesday, traveling to face Richmond in a 3:00 pm affair.