FAIRFAX, Va. – No. 6 George Mason survived the first elimination game of the 2017 Atlantic 10 Softball Championship, beating Dayton 6-5 Wednesday at the George Mason Softball Complex.
Both teams lost their opening games of the double-elimination tournament Wednesday, setting up the game-three elimination matchup. George Mason (22-32) moves ahead in the consolation bracket, but will not know its opponent until the conclusion of Thursday's first two games. The Flyers closed out their season with a 29-27 record.
Dayton struck first in the bottom of the third. A Mason throwing error allowed A-10 Player of the Year Gabrielle Snyder, to score. A double from Lisa Tassi, followed by a sacrifice fly increased Dayton's lead to 3-0 heading into the fourth inning.
The Patriots put together three-run frames in the fifth and sixth innings to seal the win. Seven of the 11 George Mason hits came in those two innings. George Mason started its hitting streak with singles from Samantha Zaccari and Katherine Marsh who set up a one-out double from Mary Luttrell who was credited for driving in the first run. Brooke Sullivan was credited an RBI as she moved home Marsh. Luttrell went 2-for-3, scored a run and posted two RBI, leading the Patriots offensive.
Dayton answered with one run in the fifth from Snyder who was driven in off a single and advanced on the throw.
The game was soon again tied as Marsh turned home on a sac fly from Luttrell. Sullivan would hit a triple over the center fielder's head to drive in Mason's fifth run and Sydnee Wells hit a single down the right side, giving George Mason the two point lead.
Dayton got back a run in the bottom of the six, attempting to close the gap once again. The Patriots went scoreless in the seventh, giving the Flyers one last chance to rally for the win. They had runners on second and third with two outs as Kelly Fitzgerald hit a ground out back to the pitcher, ending the game.
Bekah Ansbro was credited with the win as she pitched a complete game for the Patriots, allowing four earned runs on a total of nine hits, facing a total of 35 batters.