BRONX, N.Y. – Underscored by a commanding in-circle performance by A-10 Pitcher of the Year Aly Rayle, fourth-seeded George Mason edged past No. 5 overall Fordham in the Atlantic 10 Softball Championship opening round, stifling the Rams offensively en route to a thrilling 1-0 victory Wednesday afternoon at Bahoshy Field.

Win in hand, the Patriots earn a date with top-seeded Saint Louis in Thursday's quarterfinals action, facing the Billikens in the leadoff contest of the session at noon back at Bahoshy Field.

All said, Rayle (16-8) composed a complete game on 7.0 innings of work, striking out a league single-game season-high 18 batters – good for a tie for sixth nationally – while surrendering just four hits with no walks for the eventual W. The showing served as her fourth complete game on the year, and second within six days.

Oppositely, Fordham starter Holly Beeman (8-9) proved almost equally lethal, giving up just two hits – one a solo homer – on 6.0 full frames of action with a trio of strikeouts. As a unit, Rayle and Beeman never allowed any batter a free pass on base, allowing a grand total zero walks with no hit-by-pitches.

Offensively, Mason's lone spike came during the second frame, as Maddy Myers connected on the second pitch of her at-bat for a solo jack to left field. Fordham, however, nearly got to Rayle on two occasions late, leaving a pair on on base in both the sixth and seventh innings; during the latter, Rayle notably gave up back-to-back singles before proceeding to earn swinging strikeouts from three consecutive batters to lock down the victory.