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BRONX, N.Y. – Third-seeded Dayton survived the first elimination game of the 2018 Atlantic 10 Softball Championship, with a 4-2 victory Wednesday at Bahoshy Field on the campus of Fordham University.

Both teams lost their opening games of the double-elimination tournament Wednesday, setting up the game-three elimination matchup. Dayton (29-24) advances in the consolation bracket, but will not know its opponent until the conclusion of Thursday’s first two games. The Patriots closed out their season with a 22-28 record.

After a one-out double from Kayla Haberstich in the bottom of the first, Kailee Budicin knocked in Haberstich with an RBI single through the left side, giving the Flyers an early 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the second, Julia Blarr led off the inning with a double down the right-field line. After moving to third on a sacrifice bunt, Blarr crossed home plate, thanks to a Kyle Davidson RBI single up the middle. Blarr’s run gave Dayton a two-run advantage.

Lisa Tassi’s RBI single in the bottom of the third, scoring Budicin extended the Flyers’ lead to three. Abby Ehrenborg, the next batter, knocked in Tassi with RBI single of her, pushing Dayton’s lead to four.

Dayton’s Manda Cash held the Patriots scoreless through six frames, but the Patriots fought back in the seventh.

After Brooke Sullivan and Miah Wilson reached base on singles and advanced bases on a sacrifice bunt, Sydnee Wells drove both runners in with an RBI double down the right-field line. That is all George Mason would muster against the Flyers as Cash retired the next two batters.

Cash recorded her 14th win of the season, allowing six hits, walking three, and striking out 11 over seven frames.