FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason baseball team accumulated 16 hits, the second most in a game this season, as it defeated Canisius 7-4 in the series opener on Friday afternoon at Spuhler Field.

The non-conference win moves Mason to 15-19-1 while the Golden Griffins fall to-17-21 in the second game of the season between the two teams.

The Patriots began the afternoon with four hits in the first inning and 11 total off of Canisius starter Alex Godzak, who left the game after three innings in his third loss of the year (4-3). He allowed six earned Patriot runs: two in the first, three in the second and one in the third.

Mason strung together four two-out hits in the bottom of the first, started by Brandon Gum's double down the right field line. He was brought home on Jake Kalish's first triple of the year who in turn was brought home by Kent Blackstone's single back up the middle for a 2-0 lead. Brady Acker singled after Blackstone but was left on second at the inning's end.

Four more hits came for the Patriots in the bottom of the second with zero outs recorded, led by Willis' double down the right field line. It was followed by singles from Michael Smith and Gum before Blackstone's two-run double, also down the right field line. Willis and Gum led the day with three hits while Kalish, Tyler Nelin and Acker each had two. Blackstone's three RBI give him 36 on the year.

Jake Kalish (4-3) welcomed the early run support as he pitched five innings, allowing one earned run with two strikeouts in his fourth victory of the season and third straight. Riley Coverdale replaced Kalish in the sixth inning as two runs scored, only one earned two make the ballgame 6-4.

Joe Williams forced an inning-ending double play in the top of the seventh before Sable brought home an insurance run in the bottom half with an infield single to first base for the 7-4 lead. Williams tossed a scoreless eight to set up Tyler Tobin for his fifth save of the season in a 1-2-3 ninth with one strikeout.

Mason and Canisius continue weekend action on Saturday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m.