March 27, 2003
Box Score
FAIRFAX, VA...George Mason softball swept a double-header from UMBC Thursday afternoon, improving to 12-9 overall. Game scores were 5-3 and 2-1, as the Retrievers evened out to 14-14 on the year.
Tasha Galecki went 3-for-4 with three RBI in the opener for Mason, while Kathy Hrycyna pitched a four-hitter for the Patriots in the nightcap.
Stacy James also had three hits for Mason in the first game of the afternoon, as the Patriots rallied from being down 3-1 to post a 5-3 decision. Mason used a four-run fifth inning to propel itself to the win.
In the bottom half of the fifth, the Patriots loaded the bases after Missy Hartman doubled, Kim Braxton reached on an error and Jen Schultz drew a walk. Galecki followed with a two-run single down the left field line that tied the score at 3-3, and Mason went ahead for good when it scored one run on a misplayed play in centerfield and Jen Clawson chipped in with an RBI-groundout.
Galecki also drove in Mason's first run with a third-inning, RBI-single that scored Braxton from second.
UMBC opened the scoring when Abbie Kahn scored in the top of the second on a single from Christina French, and it scored twice in the fifth when Kristie Pickeral delivered a single that plated Lauren Hebb and Lisa Boone.
Miranda Fox got the win and Rene Leveque picked up a save, while Lauren Nicholson went the duration in taking the loss. Fox gave up nine hits and three earned runs before giving way to Leveque with one out and a runner on in the top of the sixth. Leveque retired the game's next five batters to secure the victory.
In the second game, Mason starter Kathy Hrycyna held UMBC to one hit through the first five innings en route to the complete-game win. She gave up one earned run and had three strikeouts. Amy Sadowl pitched a full game for the Retrievers, scattering six hits and giving up two earned runs, in the 2-1 loss.
Mason scored both of its runs in the bottom of the first and held off a late UMBC rally to get the win.
James started the bottom of the first with single, stole second and scored on a misplayed ball at the plate on a single to center from Hartman. Hartman would later come in to score from third when Schultz laid down a sacrifice bunt.
UMBC cut the score to 2-1 in the top of the sixth when Kahn drove home pinch-runner Kristen Rynning, who had replaced Pickeral. Pickeral started the Retriever rally with a double.
The Retrievers got the lead-off batter on in the top of the seventh when Sarah Crowell singled, but the Mason defense recorded three straight outs to end the game.
The Patriots will host the George Mason Invitational this Saturday and Sunday, which will also feature UMES, Norfolk State and Princeton. Mason opens up the slate with UMES and Princeton on Saturday, with game times at 9 and 11 a.m., respectively.
