FAIRFAX, Va- -- The Cornell softball team dropped a pair of one-run games on day one of the George Mason Cherry Blossom Classic on Saturday afternoon at the George Mason Softball Complex. The Big Red dropped game on 1-0 to Siena before a rally fell short in a 5-4 loss to the host Patriots.

Game One
Katie Lew tossed a complete game four-hitter, but Siena was able to scratch together the game's only run to snatch away a win on Saturday afternoon at the George Mason Softball Complex.

The Saints used a leadoff double by Madysen Cossack and a sacrifice bunt to put a runner on third, then scored it on an groundout by Paige Hess. Lauren Butts made that stand up, scattering five hits and six walks to pick up the shutout and give Siena its first win of the season.

Megan Murray had two of Cornell's five hits, including a double, and also reached base after being hit by a pitch, but the Big Red left 12 runners on base. Rebecca Kubena extended her hit streak to four early in the season with a 1-for-4 effort, while Tori Togashi had a hit and drew a walk.

Game Two
Cornell nearly rallied from a 5-0 deficit, getting within 5-4 with the tying run on third, but the host school was able to close out the win and even its record at 7-7 on the year.

The Big Red pounded out 13 hits, including two apiece from Bridgette Rooney, Kate Jencarelli, Eric Rockstroh and Brianna Straley, but the Big Red stranded 10 runners in the loss.

Lisa Nelson kept the host school at bay after GMU jumped out to a 5-0 lead after three innings, surrendering two hits and no runs over three innings.

Trailing 5-0 into the sixth, Cornell scored three runs to get back in the game on RBI singles by Rockstroh, Straley and Avery Voehl. A two-out, pinch-hit single by Tori Togashi got the Big Red within a run, but the Patriots were able to entice a lineout to end the game.