TOWSON, Md. ? Stef Streets' two-out RBI double in the bottom of the fifth lifted the Tigers to a 2-1 victory over George Mason on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers (18-9, 5-1 CAA) got a dominating performance in the circle from Shannon Johnston who struck out a career-high 11 Patriots (13-17, 0-6 CAA).
“I'm glad to get the win and I'm really proud of Stef who battled at the plate all day and came through when we needed her,” said Coach Lisa Costello.
With the game tied at 1-1 heading to the bottom of the fifth, George Mason got the first two outs of the inning. Sammi DiPompo then poked a single up the middle and scored on Streets' double to the left center wall.
The Patriots had an early lead in the contest as they reached Johnston and the Tigers for a single run in the top of the second. With one out, Johnston struck out Miranda Cranford but the ball got by the catcher and Cranford was safe at first. Two batters later Anush Mooradian ripped a double to right center to score Cranford.
Towson tied the score in the bottom of the fourth. Meaghan Clark had a one-out single to right field and Jocelyn Hall went in to run for Clark. Lindsey Kent then singled to left center and the Patriots made a pitching change. After George Mason got the second out of the inning, Marybeth Herrick reached on an error allowing Hall to score the tying run.
DiPompo and Kent recorded a pair of hits apiece. DiPompo also scored a run in the contest. Streets' hit was the 100th of her career and drove in the winning run. Becky Anderson and Meghan Hill recorded two hits apiece for George Mason.
Johnston picked up her second win of the weekend and 10th of the season in the circle. She allowed just one run on five hits while striking out a career-high 11 and walking just one. Anderson took the loss for the Patriots after giving up one run in 2.2 innings of relief work.
The Tigers return to action on Tuesday, March 31 when they host Bucknell in a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 3 p.m.
