Box Score I Box Score (PDF)

FAIRFAX, Va. -- Cornell rallied from deficits of 4-0 and 7-4, but George Mason was able to plate the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning in an 8-7 Patriot victory on Friday evening at the GMU Softball Complex. The Big Red fell to 2-3, while the host school won its first game of 2014 (1-7).

Senior Jenny Edwards was 3-for-4 with a home run and a game-tying two -run double in the top of the seventh inning and freshman Jessica Bigbie was 2-for-4 with a double and four RBI to lead the Big Red at the plate. Cornell pounded out a season-best 12 hits in the loss. Both Meg Parker and Lauren Bucolo also had multi-hit games.

After Cornell rallied to tie the game in the top of the seventh inning with three runs, the big blow coming on Edwards' two-run double after a Sophie Giaquinto run scoring single. The tie was short-lived, however, as the Patriots went back on top with a single, a sacrifice bunt, and two more singles with the walk-off hit coming off the bat of Cori Prince with one out.

The Big Red trailed 4-0 after three innings and 5-1 after four before getting back within a run at 5-4 in the top of the fifth. Bigbie's bases clearing single to center with two outs put Cornell squarely back in it.

As they had all night, George Mason answered, this time stringing three hits together and taking advantage of an RBI single and a bases loaded walk to push the lead back to three after five full. A quiet sixth inning set up the exciting seventh.

Cornell returns to action at the George Mason Invitational tomorrow with a 12:15 p.m. contest against Monmouth, followed by a 2:30 p.m. rematch against the Patriots.