FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason softball team (27-15, 13-4 A-10) won Sunday's doubleheader against Saint Joseph's (14-22, 5-9 A-10). The Patriots shutout the Hawks in Game One 5-0 and closed out the series with a 3-1 victory in Game Two.

The Patriots have won seven games in a row, sweeping their second A-10 opponent this week. They have also won their sixth consecutive conference series. Mason's 13 A-10 Conference wins is now a new school record. The previous record was set in 2017 and 2018, when they both went 12-11.

MASON WEEKEND BY THE NUMBERS

• Haley Taormina and Marlaina Bozek both hit their 100th career hits over the weekend. Taormina hit the milestone in Saturday's game and Bozek reached it in Game One of Sunday's doubleheader.

• Aly Rayle collected her 13^th win of the season, along with her tenth complete game win. It is also her fourth complete game shutout of the season. Rayle is now the third Patriot in Mason Softball history to have over 150 strikeouts in a single season. She currently has 157 strikeouts and is fourth all-time in single season strikeouts.

• Carly Cooper only gave up one earned run and pitched her first complete game win of the season in Game Two. The junior is now 4-4 this season with an ERA of 3.14.

• The Patriots outscored the Hawks 11-1. Mason batted .306 (22-72) compared to Saint Joseph's .173 (13-75).

Game One: MASON 5, SAINT JOSEPH'S 0


Marlaina Bozek knocked in her 100th collegiate hit in the top of the first inning. Bozek led the game off with a single to left center on a 2-2 count.

Both the Patriots and Hawks were held scoreless throughout the first five innings of Game One.

In the top of the fifth inning, left fielder Elyssa DeRosa made a sliding catch to prevent leadoff hitter Hailey Malito to get on base. The Patriot defense only allowed three hits, and starting pitcher Aly Rayle went seven innings and struck out eight Hawks on the day.

The game broke wide open in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Patriots batted around and put up five runs and five hits. The inning started with a Sydney Bales hit, followed by a Marlaina Bozek walk. Haley Taormina would then hit a double to left center, scoring Bales. Next up was Nicole Bechtel, who hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Bozek from third. Rachel Warrens then hit a double to left center, scoring Taormina. Maddy Myers then hit a single through the left side, scoring Warrens from second. Finally, Jordan Anderson hit a single up the middle, scoring Myers.

The Patriots would close out the top of the seventh rather quickly, giving the Patriots their fifth shutout victory of the season.

Game Two: MASON 3, SAINT JOSEPH'S 1

In Game Two, the Patriots jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. With Haley Taormina on third and Rachel Warrens on first, the two set up a double-steal during Maddy Myers' at bat. Warrens stole second, and while the Hawk catcher threw the ball to second, Taormina was able to steal home. Maddy Myers would later hit an RBI single to left center, scoring Warrens.

The Hawks would get one run back in the top of the third inning. Starting pitcher Carly Cooper would give up three consecutive singles, resulting in one Hawk run. This would be the only real jam Cooper would be in, however, as she would be able to take control of the game and pitch her first complete game win of the season.

Haley Taormina flashed the leather in the top of the sixth inning, contributing to all three outs. The first out was a quick scoop and throw to second to get the lead runner out. The next two outs were hot shots into her corner. Taormina perfectly played the hops and made the throw to first base on time, stifiling any chance of a Hawk rally that inning.

The Patriots added one more insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. With Rachel Warrens on second and Maddy Myers on first, Jordan Anderson hit an RBI double down the left field line on a 0-2 count, scoring Warrens. Anderson had three hits on the weekend and recorded both of her RBI in Sunday's doubleheader.

Carly Cooper finished out the game retiring the side in order. After the first out was a groundout to Rachel Warrens, the last two outs were soft comeback grounders to the pitcher, which she was able to safely toss the ball over the first and secure Mason's first three-game sweep of the season.

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