FAIRFAX, VA – Taking the field for the fifth consecutive day to round out an eight-game road trip over spring break, Siena Softball (9-11) could not lock up a weekend series sweep over Atlantic 10 foe George Mason. The Patriots used a five-run third inning to take an 8-5 win over the Saints Saturday afternoon at the George Mason Softball Complex in Fairfax, Virginia.
 
Following a doubleheader sweep on Friday, the Green and Gold pulled out to a 4-0 lead through two-and-a-half innings. Senior Ava Fitzmaurice sent in junior Sophia Caputo on an RBI double in the first, while sophomore Isabella Pardo plated freshman Ashley Giampolo on an RBI single in the second and junior Emma McLaughlin sending in both Fitzmaurice and freshman Kyleigh Potter on a 2 RBI single up the middle in the fourth.  
 
The game quickly changed course in the bottom of the third, as the Patriots used five hits to score a crooked five runs and take the lead for good, doing so on the strength of an RBI single, double, and two triples. Siena got a run back off an RBI double from junior Shannon Bonewit to knot the game at five in the fourth, but the home team answered with a two-run home run in the bottom of the inning and an RBI single in the sixth to give the game its final score of 8-5.
 
George Mason held a 14-10 hits advantage, with Fitzmaurice leading the way offensively for the Saints by going 3-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. The Greenville, New York native also took the loss in the circle over two and one-third innings, allowing four runs on six hits and striking out one. Freshman Adriana Romano struck out a pair in one inning of relief, while junior Allison Speshyock allowed one run in the final two and two-thirds innings in the circle. Reliever Cheyenne Van Pelt (3-5) picked up the win for the Patriots, striking out two in four and two-thirds innings.
 
Siena will return to the Northeast to continue its 18-game road trip, with its final test before beginning conference play on-tap. The Saints will head to Fairfield, Connecticut to battle Sacred Heart in doubleheader action on Wednesday March 30, with first pitch in game one set for 2 PM.