ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Madison Stewart's walk-off home run lifted the St. Bonaventure University softball team to a doubleheader split with George Mason Friday afternoon at Joyce Field.
The Bonnies captured game one in dramatic fashion, 7-6, but fell in game two to the Patriots, 11-5.
Game 1 – St. Bonaventure 7, George Mason 6
The Patriots were able to tie the game late, scoring two in the top of the seventh, but the Bonnies would not go away quietly.
Madison Stewart's no-doubt, walk-off home run in last of the seventh sent the Bonnies to a game one victory.
George Mason got on the board first in the top of the first inning, plating the game's first run on a wild pitch. The Patriots advanced runners to second and third with two outs in the inning, but Emily Phelan was able to work out of the jam.
The Patriots extended their lead to 2-0 by way of an RBI groundout in the top of the second.
Rachel Warrens gave Mason a three-run lead in the top of the third with a solo home run to left field while an RBI triple from Marlaina Bozek stretched the lead to four in the top of the fourth.
The Bonnies were able to break through on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth with a sacrifice fly off the bat of Kennedy Haberl, making the score 4-1.
A few batters later with the bases loaded, Elyse Graham blasted a grand slam over the left field fence, giving the Bonnies their first lead of the ball game, 5-4.
Juanita Wolak drove in an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, driving an RBI triple to left-center field.
Phelan tossed 4.1 innings for the Bonnies, re-entering into the contest in the top of the seventh and striking out three batters. Elizabeth Lis worked 2.2 innings in relief, scattering three hits.
Game 2 – George Mason 11, St. Bonaventure 5
George Mason struck for four runs in the top of the third to take a commanding, 5-0, lead.
The Bonnies got two runs back in the bottom of the third when Emily Piergustavo belted her first homer of the season, a two-run shot to left field, bringing the Bonnies back within three, 5-2.
In the bottom of the fourth, Stewart doubled home Graham for the first run of the inning and Grace Walker followed her with an RBI groundout, pulling the Bonnies within one.
A few batters later, Abby Suhr singled home Brooke Bobbey, tying the game at 5-5.
The Patriots, however, plated a run in the fifth to retake the lead and never looked back.
Mason added five runs in the sixth and two more in seventh, earning the game two victory.
Phelan earned the game two start while Lis and Macy Miller each pitched in relief.
The Bonnies and Patriots conclude the three-game series Saturday at noon.
-----
Stay connected with St. Bonaventure athletics through social media. Follow the Bonnies on Twitter @GoBonnies and softball updates at @BonniesSoftball. Keep up with the Bonnies on Facebook /GoBonnies and on Instagram @GoBonnies.
