• Mason earned its first conference win of the season with a 6-3 victory over the Dayton Flyers on Sunday afternoon.
• Jess Curbeira went 3-for-4 with a RBI double while Meghan Graham set career highs in hits (3) and RBIs (2).
• Marina Vitalich pitched 4.2 innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out three batters. Bekah Ansbro picked up her first save of the season with 2.1 innings of work including three strikeouts in the sixth inning.

FINAL: Mason 6, Dayton 3 (PDF Box Score)
 
DAYTON, Ohio – The George Mason softball team earned its first conference win of the season over the Dayton Flyers, 6-3, on Sunday afternoon. The Patriots improve to 9-15 overall and 1-2 in A-10 play.

Senior Jess Curbeira and sophomore Meghan Graham had career days at the top of Mason's lineup. Curbeira went 3-for-4 at the plate, including a RBI double in the sixth inning. She tied her career high with three hits. Graham also went 3-for-4 at the plate, setting career highs in hits (3) and RBIs (2).

In the circle, Marina Vitalich earned her third win of the season. She struck out three batters against zero walks through 4.2 innings of work. Bekah Ansbro came in to relief in the fifth inning, striking out three batters to earn her first save of the season.

Mason had a strong start to the game, scoring two runs off three hits in the top of the first. Curbeira, Graham and Taylor Dadig recorded hits in the inning to give Mason the early 2-0 lead. Dayton cut Mason's lead to one after the Flyers scored an unearned in the bottom of the inning.

Neither team put a run on the scoreboard from the second through the fourth inning. Once again, Curbeira and Graham ignited Mason's offense with singles in the fifth inning. Junior Sydnee Wells then notched a RBI sacrifice fly to score Madison Aker. After Dadig was hit by pitch, Curbeira crossed the plate to give Mason the 4-1 lead. Three Patriots were hit by pitch during the inning.

Dayton responded with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth, cutting Mason's lead, 4-3. After Marissa Butts singled through the right side to start the sixth inning, Curbeira and Graham stepped up for the Patriots, driving in the final two runs of the game.

Ansbro struck out three batters in the bottom of the sixth inning to help seal the victory.

UP NEXT
Mason hosts Towson on Wednesday, March 27 for a midweek doubleheader before welcoming Fordham for a three-game series on March 30-31.