FAIRFAX, Va. – Sophomore Brian Marconi pitched a masterpiece on Sunday, tossing a complete-game two-hitter, allowing just two singles in the Patriots 1-0 walk-off win over St. Bonaventure at Spuhler Field.

Mason (18-23, 7-5 A-10) collected six hits against St. Bonaventure (18-15, 9-6 A-10) starter Brandon Schlimm over the first five innings, but couldn't push a run across the plate.

Marconi began the day by retiring 11 of the first 12 batters he faced with the Bonnies hitting the ball out of the infield only twice.

"Brian was perfect today," Mason head coach Bill Brown said.  "To throw a complete game and for us to win 1-0 with a run in the bottom of the ninth, we needed it today.  Our starting pitching all weekend was fantastic."

The Patriots had plenty of chances throughout the game, loading the bases four times in the contest.  Sophomore Alejandro Aponte led off the fifth with a single and freshman John Callahan reached on an error to put runners on first and second with no outs.

After a fielder's choice, junior Michael Smith singled to center to load the bases for the first time in the game.  Schlimm was able work his way out of the inning when sophomore Brady Acker was robbed of an extra-base hit by third baseman David Hollins, who stepped on the bag at third and completed a double play with a strong throw to first.

Mason threatened again in the home half of the sixth against St. Bonaventure reliever Murphy O'Brien.  Freshman Logan Driscoll led off with a bunt single, junior Tyler Nelin was hit by a pitch and sophomore Greg Popatak II walked to load the bases for the second straight inning.

With junior Trevor Kelly at the plate, the Bonnies ended the inning with one of baseball's rarest plays.  Kelly hit a line drive back up the middle that deflected to St. Bonaventure second baseman Jared Baldinelli, who caught the ball just inches off the ground before starting a 4-6-3 triple play to end the inning.

"We had all kinds of opportunities and for whatever reason we didn't have much luck in those situations," Brown said.  "The good news is we are getting plenty of opportunities and that flips quickly from an offensive standpoint."

There was a Patriot at every base again in the eighth after walks to Smith, Driscoll and Popatak, but the Bonnies made the call to the bullpen and freshman James Wetter got a fly out to turn Mason away.

Mason wouldn't be denied in the ninth.

Aponte led off the ninth inning with a walk and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Callahan.  Junior Frank Sturek followed with an infield single to put runners on first and third and Smith was then walked intentionally to load the bases as the Bonnies brought the infield in.

After a fly out for the second out of the inning, Driscoll hit a hard liner to first.  The ball bounced off the glove of the first baseman, with Driscoll hustling down the line to beat the throw to first while Aponte raced home from third to score the winning run for the 1-0 victory.

Mason improved to 5-3 this season in games decided by one run.

Marconi (4-4) allowed just two singles, struck out four and walked just two.  It's the first nine inning complete-game win of his collegiate career.  He threw 98 pitches and faced only 30 batters in the outing.

"I was just trying to keep them off-balance, throw strikes and give us a chance to win the game," Marconi said.  "Once the triple play happened, I thought luck wasn't on our side today.  It's definitely a big win and we have to try to keep the momentum going."

Mason starters combined to pitch 26 of the 27 innings over three games in the series against St. Bonaventure.

Aponte went 2-for-3 and scored his 17th run of the season.  He has a hit in five of the last seven games, with four multi-hit games.  Sturek finished 2-for-4 in the game.  Smith was 1-for-3 with two walks and has now reached base safely in each of the last 10 games.  Mason had eight hits in the game, all singles.

The Patriots are back on the diamond Wednesday, April 26 when they host William & Mary in non-conference action.  The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.