ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – The George Mason softball team (22-15, 8-4 A-10) rallied late in Saturday's series finale with St. Bonaventure (8-20, 3-9 A-10), scoring three runs in the top of the seventh inning to win 3-2. The Patriots have now won their fourth consecutive Atlantic 10 series to start conference play this season.

MASON BY THE NUMBERS

• Aly Rayle's (10-5, 2.50 ERA) two-hitter earned the starting pitcher both her tenth win of the season and her seventh complete game win 

• Marlaina Bozek, Rachel Warrens and Haley Taormina all hit .500 today, going 2-for-4

• Nicole Bechtel has now successfully recorded a hit in 12 of her last 13 games. In that 13 game span, she leads the team in hits (19), average (.422), doubles (6) and RBI (12)

MASON 3, ST. BONAVENTURE 2
Today's series finale was opposite of what yesterday's doubleheader featured, in which the game was low scoring and defense-heavy. The game was held scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning when the Bonnies scored two runs, and the Patriots would not mount their comeback until the top of the seventh inning.

Starting pitcher Aly Rayle (7.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 6 SO) tossed one hundred pitches and only allowed two hits on the day. She also added six more strikeouts to her season and now has a total of 131 strikeouts.

Despite Mason's offense constantly making hits and getting runners aboard, it would be St. Bonaventure that would score first deep in the game. In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Bonnies were able to start the inning with two consecutive walks. After the Patriot defense were able to get the next two batters out, Bobbey Brooke (1-3, 2 RBI) hit a triple to right center, giving the Bonnies a two-run lead.

The Patriots would be held scoreless for another inning. It was not until the top of the seventh inning when their late-game rally started.

To start the seventh inning, Sydney Bales (1-3, 1 R 1 2B) hit a single to right field, followed by another single by Charlotte Montgomery (1-3, 1 R, 1 SB). With runners on first and second, Marlaina Bozek hit a fly out to right field deep enough to advance Bales to third. Then, during Haley Taormina's at bat, Montgomery stole second.

With both runners in scoring position, Taormina was able to deliver. She knocked a two-RBI sinlge through the left side and was able to advance to second base on the Bonnie throw to home. With the game tied 2-2 with only one out, it was Nicole Bechtel's turn at the plate. Bechtel delivered in the clutch as well, hitting a single through the right side, allowing Taormina to speed around third and give the Patriots a late 3-2 lead.

The Patriots were able to close the game out in the seventh inning. After two quick outs, the Bonnies were able to get one runner aboard with two outs. Ultimately, the final out was a ground out to Maddy Myers (1-3) at first, unassisted.

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