Fairfax, VA - Zack Helgeson hit a game-winning two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift George Mason to a 6-4 win over Hofstra is the opening game of a three-game Colonial Athletic Association series at Spuhler Field.

Hofstra had rallied to tie the game at four in the top of the ninth on Danny Poma's RBI double, his third two-bagger of the day. But in the home half of the inning, Dan Schafferman hit a one-out single and Helgeson ended the game with his fifth home run of the season off Pride reliever Jared Rogers (0-3).

George Mason improves to 9-4 overall and 1-0 in the CAA. Hofstra falls to 4-8 overall and 0-1 in league play.

Hofstra opened the scoring on Poma's first home run of the season, a solo shot to right center, in the top of the first. But the Patriots stormed back with two runs in the bottom of the inning as Helgeson doubled home Chris Cook and Schafferman, who both singled.

George Mason would manufacture a third run in the second as Mick Foley led off with a double,  Jake Leonardo was hit by a pitch and Jordan Hill reached on a bunt single to load the bases with no out. Cook would then hit into a double play, allowing a run to score but the Pride escaped further damage when Brig Tison grounded out.

Hofstra evened the score at three with a two-run, two-out rally in the fifth. Poma started it off with a double and came in to score on Matt Ford's two-bagger. Jared Hammer, the CAA's leading hitter, then singled home Ford with the tying run.

However, Mason would retake the lead in the bottom of the fifth as Tison and Schafferman reached on back t back singles and after a double play moved Tison to third, Josh Leemhuis delivered a run-scoring single to give the Patriots the 4-3 edge.

The Pride threatened in the seventh as Poma doubled and stole third with one out, but Jake Kalish struck out Ford and induced a ground out from Hammer to end the inning.

Kalish earned the win in relief and improved to 2-0 on the season after working three innings and allowing one run on three hits. Rogers gave up two hits and two runs in 1/3 of an inning to take the loss. Schafferman finished the game 5-for-5, while Helgeson had four RBIs. Poma was 4-for-5 with three doubles and the home run, while T.J. Thomas added two hits.

Hofstra and George Mason continue the three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m.