RICHMOND, Va. - The George Mason baseball received a strong pitching performance for the second-consecutive game as senior pitcher Ryan Pfaeffle shut down the Rams offense, helping lead the Patriots to a 2-0 win on Saturday afternoon at the Diamond.

All of the offense Mason (21-11, 8-6 CAA) needed came in the first inning. With one out, senior shortstop Brig Tison doubled to left center and senior outfielder Dan Schafferman walked to leave runners on first and second for senior designated hitter Zach Helgeson, who lined a two-RBI double to right field to give the Patriots the 2-0 lead.

VCU (17-14, 6-8 CAA) threatened to score in the home half of the fourth inning, as the Rams loaded the bases with two out for shortstop Vimael Machin, who looked to have an RBI single through the right side, but Schafferman quickly snagged the ball and made the throw home, catching a VCU runner at the plate to end the inning.

The remainder of the game belonged to the pitching staffs, as Pfaeffle (3-3) sat down nine-consecutive batters before allowing two Rams to reach in the bottom of the eighth inning when he was replaced by closer Chris O'Grady. VCU starter Ryan Farrar (3-2) retired 12 of his final 13 batters faced over four innings before Matt Lees worked the ninth inning for the Rams.

Pfaeffle tossed  7.1 strong innings, holding VCU scoreless and striking out three while scattering seven hits. O'Grady closed the game for his eighth save of the season, throwing 1.2 innings with two strikeouts.

Helgeson drove in both Mason runs with a 1-for-4 performance at the plate, and Schafferman finished 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Farrar lasted 8.0 innings, giving up two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts. No Rams batter registered more than one hit in the game.

The Patriots and Rams conclude their weekend series on Sunday, meeting for a 1:00 pm affair as Mason will go for its three-game sweep of the season.