MERION STATION, Pa. – The Saint Joseph's baseball team fell to George Mason, 9-3, at Smithson Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• George Mason (10-19 overall, 2-3 Atlantic 10) opened up an early lead with four in the first, one in the second, and two in the third.
 
• Saint Joseph's (15-13 overall, 2-3 Atlantic 10) got on the board in the bottom of the third on an RBI groundout by Jake Artz.  The Hawks further cut into the lead in the fourth on RBI singles by Brendan Hueth and Liam Bendo.
 
• The Hawks would get no closer, as the Patriots extended the lead with a two-run home run by Brett Ahalt in the top of the seventh to set the final margin.
 
BEHIND THE BOX SCORE
• Ben Shields earned the win for George Mason, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks across five innings.  Christian Mracna earned the four-inning save with a two-hit shutout stint.  Luke Smith took the loss for Saint Joseph's to fall to 4-2.
 
• Nicholas Torres was strong in relief, tossing four shutout innings and allowing just two baserunners while striking out seven.
 
• Bendo and Luca Trigiani had two hits apiece for the Hawks, while Andrew Cossetti drew three walks.
 
UP NEXT
The teams will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.  The contest will be streamed on ESPN+.