FAIRFAX, Va. - Mason split its first two games of the Patriot Classic Friday night, picking up a 7-4 victory over Rider in the opening-game before falling to Rutgers. The tournament was held at the George Mason Softball Stadium.

To open the evening against Rider, the Patriots got off to a great start getting two runs in the first inning off RBI's from Brooke Blankenship and Megan Blank.

Tiffany Webb scored off an Angela Maioran single and Amanda Bender hit a double to bring Maioran and Blank home in the third inning to give Mason a 5-2 lead.

Mason extended its lead in the fifth inning when Casey Price scored off a Bender single for her third RBI of the night and Mairon scored off a Tori Rodriguez single. Mason carried a 7-0 lead into the final two innings.

Rider rallied back in the seventh inning scoring four runs. Kehli Washington, Amanda Irving, Dana Sensi and Samatha Judd all scored for the Broncs.

Casey Herring was the winning pitcher and Krista Morrone picked up the loss.

Mason fell to Rutgers in their second game of the night, 8-3. Chandler Howard and Ashley Bragg led the Scarlet Knights with two RBI's. Mason's runs came from Julie Czarnecki, Brooke Blankenship and Christina Gabriele.

Abbey Houston picked up the win for Rutgers while Gabriele drew the loss for Mason.

The Patriots return to action tomorrow for games against Cornell at 12:15 p.m. and Rutgers at 4:30 p.m.