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ARLINGTON, Va. — A five-run third inning by George Washington proved to be the difference, as the Colonials held off St. Bonaventure for an 8-5 Atlantic series opening win on Thursday afternoon at Barcroft Park.

The loss slips the Brown and White to 4-12 on the season and 0-4 in the A-10, while GW (14-10) improves to a perfect 4-0 in league play. Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m.

After the Bonnies took a 2-1 lead in their half of the third inning, George Washington took the lead and bounced starter Eddie Gray from the mound with its game-changing five-running bottom of the third. The Colonials took a 6-2 lead after the third.

Freshman Robert Nalepa entered the game in the bottom of the third and tossed a solid 5.1 innings, surrendering just two runs over GW's final five at-bats. Nalepa struck out five and scattered nine hits and received a no-decision.

While Nalepa kept the Colonials at bay, the Bona bats plated one run in the fifth, eighth and ninth in their comeback attempt. Junior Jesse Bosnik, who extended his hit streak to 14 games, drove in the run in the fifth win a single and the run in the ninth with a two-out triple. Sophomore Nick Brennen's RBI single in the eighth accounted for the other run.

For the game, the Bonnies finished with 12 hits, highlighted by four players with multi-hit afternoons. Bosnik led the way, going 3-for-5 with three RBI – his team-best eighth multi-hit game and sixth multi-RBI game. Batting in the leadoff spot, senior Nick Cunliffe went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Batting eighth and ninth, freshman Austin Ingraham and sophomore Michael Grieco each had two hits. Ingraham blasted his first career double.

Gray was tagged for the loss, slipping to 1-2 on the season. Gray gave up six runs, including five earned, on six hits and struck out two over 2.2 innings. George Washington pounded out 15 hits for the game.

GW senior hurler Ryan Lapointe got the win on the mound, going eight full innings, scattering 11 hits while giving up just four earned runs. Lapointe is now 4-2 on the season.