FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason softball team (12-7) split their weekday matchup with Morgan State.

The Patriots earned a 5-1 victory in the first game of the day before dropping the second game 3-1.

Game 1: Morgan State (6-8) vs. Mason (12-6)
 
In game one, the action started flowing at the bottom of the third inning when the Patriots scored their first run to take the lead.
 
Freshman Jordan Anderson was able to reach base on an error from the Bears pitcher. Senior Amber Verstynen then reached base on a fielder's choice and Anderson was able to advance to second base on an error by the third baseman.

With two outs and two runners left on base, senior Taylor Dadig hit a single to send Anderson home to score the leading run for the Patriots.

Morgan State fought hard to score on a loaded bases situation in the top of the fourth inning but were unsuccessful when the last batter of the inning fouled out to first base.

The Bears were able to garner offensive momentum in the top of the fifth inning off an RBI single.

Both teams were stuck in a jam after the bottom of the seventh inning, forcing a decisive eighth inning.

Mason allowed one runner to reach base in the top of the eighth inning that advanced to second base after being walked and stole stole base. The Patriots prevented the runner from advancing home by catching a fly out to center field.

The Patriots got hot in the bottom of the eighth inning. Senior EJ Bankson led off in the inning and was walked. Dadig hit another single to put runners on first and second. Redshirt sophomore Nicole Bechtel followed that with a single of her own, loading the bases.

The next two batters up for the Patriots flied and popped out, leaving the bases loaded with two outs. Junior Rachel Warrens was up next to bat. On the 2-2 count, Warrens electrified George Mason Softball Complex after hitting a walk off grand slam to earn the Patriots a 5-1 win.
 
The pitching effort from graduate student Cheyenne Van Pelt was enough to hold off the Bears, earning the victory for the Green and Gold. Van Pelt pitched the first five innings and the eighth inning. Freshman Jordan Anderson came in to pitch in the sixth and seventh innings.

 
Game 2: Morgan State (7-8) vs. Mason (12-7)
 
In the second contest, Morgan State came out on top, scoring two runs in the first three innings.
 
Both teams made for quick work in the first inning, getting each team out in four batters or less.

The Bears scored their first run in the top of the first off an RBI single from a bunt. Holding the Patriots scoreless in the bottom of the second inning, Morgan State scored another run in the top of the third inning off an RBI double.
 
Mason was able to earn their lone run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Dadig started the inning off a single and advanced to second on the throw back to the infield. Junior Maddy Myers then hit a sacrifice bunt to advance Dadig over to third base. Sophomore Marlaina Bozek then grounded out to bring Dadig home.
 
Morgan State sealed their fate in the top of the seventh inning, scoring a run on an RBI groundout to third base.
 
Freshman Madi Williams started and pitched six out of the seven innings in the second game. Sophomore Carly Cooper came in to relieve Williams in the top of the seventh inning.

UP NEXT
 
The Patriots will travel to Saint Joseph's for a three-game series Mar. 18-19 with first pitch on both days slated for 12 p.m.