OLEAN, N.Y. – The George Mason baseball team dropped the first game of its series against St. Bonaventure 3-0 Friday afternoon at Fred Handler Park.

Mason (15-30, 4-12 A-10) was held to one hit over the first five innings against St. Bonaventure (22-18-1, 7-9 A-10) starter Brandon Schlimm, who struck out at least one batter in every inning.

The Bonnies took the lead in the third inning against Mason starter Tyler Zombro.  An infield single and a walk put runners on first and second with no outs and after a sacrifice bunt, sophomore Cole Peterson drove in a run with a ground out to put St. Bonaventure in front 1-0.

The Bonnies padded the advantage in the sixth when junior Tommy LaCongo drove in a pair of runs with a two-out double to right-center field to make the score 3-0.  With the leadoff batter in the inning reaching on an error, both runs were unearned.  St. Bonaventure has won five of its last seven games overall.

Zombro (3-8) allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits in 7.0 innings of work.  He struck out five and walked one.  In his last four starts, Zombro has fanned 26 batters and walked only two.  Sophomore Saul Aguilera pitched an inning in relief and worked his way out of a bases loaded jam in the eighth.

Schlimm (6-4) allowed four singles over 8.1 shutout innings and struck out a career-high 12 batters in the game.  Senior Thad Johnson recorded the final two outs to earn his fifth save of the season and became the all-time saves leader at St. Bonaventure with his 17th career save.

Sophomore Michael Smith reached base four times, going 2-for-2 with two walks.  Sophomore Tyler Nelin was 1-for-4 and classmate Garett Driscoll finished 1-for-3 with a walk.  The Patriots have been held to four hits in each of their last three games.

The Patriots will look to even the series Saturday afternoon with the first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m.