HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. – The George Mason baseball team dropped the final game of its series against Canisius 7-1 on Sunday afternoon at the North Main Athletic Complex in Holly Springs, N.C.

Mason (7-13) fell behind in the top of the first inning when the first three Golden Griffins batters of the game reached base against Patriots starter Brock Hunter.  After a leadoff walk and a single put runners on first and third with no outs, Canisius scored a pair of runs with two RBI singles to take a 2-0 lead.

The Patriots have allowed at least one run in the first inning in eight of their last 10 games.

The Golden Griffins added single runs in both the second and fourth innings to double the advantage to 4-0.

Mason threatened in the bottom of the fourth against Canisius starter Andrew Kneussle.  With two outs, Trevor Kelly singled and Tim Quinn and Garett Driscoll walked, but the Patriots came away empty after a groundout ended the inning.

The Patriots loaded the bases for a second straight inning in the fifth.  John Callahan and Michael Smith singled and with one out Tyler Nelin walked before a strikeout and fly out left the bases full.

Mason scored its lone run of the game in the seventh when Frank Sturek reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to third on a single by Nelin and scored on an error to make the score 4-1.

In the eighth, Canisius sent eight batters to the plate and scored three runs on two hits, including a bases-clearing double off the right field wall to make it 7-1.

Hunter (1-2) allowed four runs on six hits in 3.1 innings and suffered the loss.  Bryce Nightengale tossed 3.2 scoreless innings, allowed just two singles and struck out four in his outing. 

The Patriots are back on the diamond when they face Mt. St. Mary's on Tuesday at 3 p.m. in Emmitsburg, Md.