FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason baseball team trailed late, but rallied to score five runs in the seventh inning as it opened its CAA weekend series against Georgia State with a 6-3 triumph.

Trailing 3-0 going into the home half of the seventh inning, Mason (17-10, 5-5 CAA) put together a five run, five hit performance to grab the lead. With the bases loaded and no outs, senior outfielder Dan Schafferman hit a line drive through the right side to bring in one run. Senior designated hitter Zack Helgeson followed with a single to right field, but GSU's Jonathan Kolowich fumbled the ball, allowing Mason to clear the bases while Helgeson advanced all the way to third base to give the Patriots a 4-3 lead. The final run of the inning came on an RBI single from redshirt sophomore outfielder Josh Leemhuis, extending the Mason lead to 5-3.

Mason added an insurance run in the eighth inning to go up, 6-3. With two outs, Schafferman walked, stole second and was then brought home by a hard-hit single to right center field from Helgeson.

The Panthers (12-15, 4-3 CAA) wasted no time bringing in a run, as Kolowich gave Georgia State a 1-0 lead with an RBI double to left field in the top half of the first inning. With the bases loaded and one out in the third inning for the Panthers, Kolowich drove in his second run of the game with a sacrifice fly to deep right field, extending the GSU lead to 2-0.

Adding one more run in the top of the fourth, the Panthers put runners on the corners with two outs for second baseman Greg Bowder, who lined an RBI single to right field to give GSU a 3-0 lead.

Helgeson led the Mason offense, going 2-for-3 with three RBI's and one run scored while extending his on-base streak to 20 games. Schafferman went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, and Leemhuis added the final Patriot RBI while going 1-for-3.

Starter Anthony Montefusco (3-1) earned the win, throwing 7.0 innings while giving up three runs on seven hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Reliever Jake Kalish took home his fourth save of the season after working 2.0 innings with two strikeouts and one hit.

Georgia State reliever Jake Dyer (2-2) took the loss, throwing just 1.0 inning but giving up the go-ahead runs on three hits. Starter Justin Malone was straddled with the no decision, throwing 6.0 innings and giving up two runs on six hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.

Kolowich wrapped up the day with a 1-for-3 performance at the plate and two RBI's, while Bowder brought in the final Panthers run with a 2-for-3 showing.

The Patriots return to action tomorrow in game two of their three-game series with Georgia State at 2:00 pm.