Fairfax, Va.--The George Mason softball team dropped the first two games of a critical series with conference foe Towson Friday afternoon at the Mason Softball Complex.

The Patriots fell 5-2 in the first game, as starting pitcher Stephanie Maher struggled, and was relieved in the fourth inning by Amanda Buffington, who pitched exceptionally the remainder of the game.

In the second game, the Patriots jumped on the Tigers early, putting up five runs in the second inning and batting all the way around.  However, the Tigers chipped away and broke through in the seventh, scoring four runs, and spoiling a phenomenal game pitched by freshman Casey Herring to.  The Tigers held on to win 6-5, despite a bases loaded threat from the Patriots in the bottom of the inning.

With the loss, Mason falls to 10-35 overall, while Towson improves to 22-22.  The Patriots are back in action Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at the Mason Softball Complex to wrap up the series.