FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason softball team (17-24, 6-11 A-10) dropped both games of their doubleheader with Fordham (21-18, 10-6 A-10) on Saturday evening.

The Rams took the win in the first game of the day 2-0 before coming away with the 4-2 win in game two despite a late offensive effort from the Patriots.

Game 1: Fordham (20-18, 9-6 A-10) vs. Mason (17-23, 6-10 A-10)
 
Both teams started the game strong defensively, both completing three up, three down innings.
 
Fordham scored their first run of the game in the top of the third inning off a home run hit deep into left field.
 
Mason rallied in the bottom of the third inning, with the leadoff batter sophomore Sydney Bales singling through the left side. Freshman Hayley Shifflett then reached base on a fielders chose before being advanced to third base from a double hit by sophomore Marlaina Bozek.
 
The Rams added another run to their column in the top of the fourth inning. A triple and a walk put runners on base for Fordham before scoring a run off an RBI double to left field.
 
In an offensive jam for both teams, the Rams and the Patriots were able to get each other out in four batters or less for the rest of the game.

Graduate student Cheyenne Van Pelt earned the start and the loss in the first game. Van Pelt pitched her fifth complete game of the season and compiled six strikeouts.
 
Game 2: Fordham (21-18, 10-6 A-10) vs. Mason (17-24, 6-11 A-10)
 
Similar to the first game, neither team was able to get a rally started in the first two innings.
 
Fordham was able to score four runs in the top of the third inning, all scored on errors. The leadoff batter for the Rams got on base after hitting a double through the right side. The next batter reached on an error, scoring the first run of the inning.
 
A groundout from Fordham was able to send another runner home. Another batter reached base on an error to send a run home before the final run was scored off an RBI single to left field.
 
Mason had a strong offensive showing in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring two runs to cut their deficit in half. Bales led off the inning with a single and then advanced to second on an error from the right fielder. Junior Haley Taormina hit a double to send Bales home. A single to right field from senior EJ Bankson was able to send Taormina home.
 
In an offensive jam, the Patriots tried to rally offensive momentum in the bottom of the seventh inning. Sophomore Zoe Vozick led off the inning for Mason and was walked during her plate appearance. Freshman Madi Williams pinch hit for Shifflett and landed a single into left center. On a fielder's choice play, Mason was able to put runners on first and third before they were stranded on base.
  
Sophomore Carly Cooper earned the start and the loss in the second game.  Cooper pitched her seventh complete game of the season, allowing five hits and three walks.

UP NEXT
 
Mason will close out the series with Fordham on Sunday April 24^th with first pitch scheduled at 1 p.m.