WHO: Softball vs Canisius @ Cherry Blossom Classic
WHERE: Fairfax, Va.
FINAL SCORE: Mason 9, Canisius 1
KEY PLAYERS: Casey Price, 2-3, 2R, McKenzie Jones, 2-3, 2R, 1RBI, Brooke Sullivan, 2-3, 2R, 3RBI, Marina Vitalich 5IP, 4H, 1ER, 2K

Fairfax, Va. –  The George Mason University softball team had another impressive showing at the Cherry Blossom Classic defeating Canisius, 9-1.

For the second game in a row, the Patriots benefitted from a two RBI double by sophomore shortstop Liz Seymour. Senior outfielder Casey Price and junior second baseman McKenzie Jones again were on base but in this situation, Jones too was able to score.

The Patriots would break the game open in the bottom of the second after the second straight scoreless inning pitched by freshman Marina Vitalich. Senior catcher Katie Kitts started the inning with a single and would come around to score two batters later on an error by the Canisius left fielder. Mason would go on to load the bases and after Seymour fouled out to first for the second out of the inning, the pressure was on sophomore catcher Brooke Sullivan to deliver.

Sullivan would respond with a bases clearing double to put the Patriots firmly in command of the contest. The Patriots added yet another run in the inning on an RBI single by redshirt freshman third baseman Jess Middleton, which put the lead up to 7-0.

Sullivan doubled again in the bottom of the fourth, and Mason yet again delivered with two outs when the designated hitter was driven in by a Kitts single. The Golden Eagles would finally get to Vitalich in the top of the fifth when the young Patriot gave up back to back doubles. Faced with their first real adversity of the game, the Patriots matched Canisius in the bottom of the inning when Jones' RBI single ended the game prematurely in five innings.

STAT BREAKDOWN

-For the second game in a row, the Patriots out-hit their opponents.

- Vitalich is now 5-5 on the year and leads the Patriots with 7 complete games.

-The top four hitters in the Patriot lineup combined for 7 hits, six runs, and six RBI's, all totals greater than Canisius' entire lineup.

COACH'S QUOTE:

“This team continues to really impress me,” Head Coach Joe Verbanic said. “They are playing hard and together while everyone contributes, it was difficult conditions and they brought an outstanding effort.”

OTHER TOURNAMENT NOTES:

-Due to inclement weather, Mason will not face Georgetown or St. Francis (Pa.) and all games Sunday have been canceled.

NEXT ON THE DIAMOND

Mason is scheduled to face Atlantic 10 rivals Rhode Island in Fairfax for a three game set starting on March, 26.