Feb. 14, 2003

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, NC...George Mason opened the 2003 softball season with a pair of victories Friday at the Triangle Classic in Chapel Hill, NC, before the tournament was called due to inclement weather.

The Patriots defeated Elon 5-1 in their first game and upended Long Island 3-2 in the following contest.

Against Elon, Jen Schultz went 2-for-3 with two RBI and Kim Braxton added a two-run single. Rene Leveque pitched a four-hitter with four strikeouts to pick up the victory.

Dianna Austin got the win against Long Island, while Missy Hartman and Amanda Ayers each contributed an RBI-single.

Stacy James started the Elon game by reaching first after being hit by a pitch. She stole second and scored the game's first run on Schultz's single to left field.

The Patriots scored twice in the third when Jen Clawson and James crossed home on a single to center from Kim Braxton.

Mason added its final runs when Hartman scored on a single from Schultz in the fifth and Clawson scored on a sixth-inning single from Hartman.

A two-run first inning helped Mason get off to a quick start against Long Island, and the Patriots were able to hold on for the 3-2 win.

James singled to start the first frame, stole second and scored an error on a ball hit by Braxton. Braxton eventually came home later in the inning on a single from Ayers.

The Patriots scored again in the second, when Clawson drew a walk, stole second and scored on a single from Hartman.

Mason's next scheduled games are Friday, when they host Marist in a double-header. Those games begin at 2 p.m.