PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla.  – Behind seven shutout innings from John Williams, the George Mason baseball team (1-1) picked up its first win of the season over Kansas State (2-1) in the second game of the Snowbird Classic in Port Charlotte, Fla.

Williams made his 2015 debut after ending last season with a 5-2 record and a 2.82 ERA. Williams pitched seven complete innings, striking out six and retiring the side four times while allowing only four hits.

The Patriot bats jumped on Wildcat starting pitcher Mark Biesma in the first inning, recording three runs on four hits in the frame. Luke Willis led off the game with a single up the middle, stole his first base of the season, advanced to third on Brandon Gum's single to left and moved home on Kent Blackstone's single through the ride side for the 1-0 lead. After Jake Kalish dropped a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners on base Nick Gallo lined a double down the right line to score both Gum and Blackstone for the three run lead.

Biesma left the game with zero outs in the top of the second after Derek Evans and Tyler Nelin connected on back-to-back doubles for a 4-0 advantage. Nelin then advanced to third on a passed ball and was brought home by a Willis sac fly to center in the inning.

Williams cruised through the middle of the game, retiring seven consecutive runners at one point before being replaced by Riley Coverdale to begin the eighth inning. After Coverdale loaded the bases, Evan Porcella made his season debut and was able to record a strikeout and a groundout to get out the bases loaded jam.

The Wildcats put a man on base in the ninth inning with two outs but he not advance any further than first. Kansas State ended the contest with five hits while the Patriots recorded 11 to score their five runs.

Mason concluded the Snowbird Classic on Sunday, February 15 when they travel to South County Regional Park for a 10 a.m. tilt with Iowa.