NEWARK, DE -- The George Mason University softball team spoiled the Blue Hens' senior day by posting a 9-0 victory in five innings over Delaware Sunday afternoon at Delaware Field.

The Patriots, who improved to 17-33 overall and 3-15 in the Colonial Athletic Association, jumped ahead by scoring three unearned runs in the top of the second inning. Kristin Dickel led off the frame with a double to leftcenter, and one out later she advanced to third on a single to left by Katlyn Winter. Delaware starter Carolynn Sloat then got Dee Murray to fly out to shallow left, but both runners scored when Blue Hen leftfielder Cecile Egan dropped a fly ball hit by Meghan Hill. Ali Bryan then tripled to center, plating Hill with the third run of the inning.

Kelsey Mack led off the top of the third with a double to center, and after Becky Anderson singled home Mack, Michelle Kenney replaced Sloat in the circle. Kenney retired the next two Patriots batters, but Winter then beat out an infield single to score Anderson with the fifth run of the game. After Murray followed with an infield single, both runners came around to score when Delaware third baseman Michelle Plant fielded a groundball hit by Hill but threw the ball away at first base

After singles by Amanda Bach and Mack opened the top of the fourth inning, Samantha Shawn relieved Kenney in the circle for the Blue Hens. Anderson then singled home Bach, and two outs later Mack scored when Winter beat out an infield single. When Delaware did not score in the fourth or fifth innings, the game ended due to the mercy rule.

Anderson improved to 7-15 and recorded her second shutout of the season after allowing three hits and striking out two while not walking a batter in five innings. Sloat dropped to 9-14 after giving up five runs, two earned, on seven hits in two-plus innings in the circle for the Blue Hens. Kenney gave up four runs, two earned, on four hits in one inning of work, while Shawn allowed two hits and struck out two in 2.0 innings of relief.

Quinn Megargel (above) had two hits while Katie DeSalvo had one for the Blue Hens, who fell to 15-23-2 overall and 6-11 in the conference.

Delaware returns to action on Tuesday when the Blue Hens travel to Bucknell for a 3 p.m. doubleheader with the Bison.

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