March 29, 2003
Box Score
FAIRFAX, VA...The George Mason softball team opened up its Invitational tournament Saturday by defeating UMES, 8-0, before losing to Princeton, 6-1. The Patriots are now 14-10 on the season.
Dianna Austin pitched a one-hitter for Mason against UMES, while Kim Braxton provided offensive support with two hits, three RBI and two runs scored.
In their second game, the Patriots were held to just three hits as Princeton jumped out an early 5-0 lead and held on for the win.
Against UMES, Mason scored once in the first, four times in the third and three times in fourth before the game was called after five innings, due to the run-rule.
In the third, Braxton had a two-run double that scored Stacy James and Missy Hartman and Kathy Hrycyna added an RBI-single. Braxton added another run-generating double in the fourth inning, as did Hartman.
Stacy James went 3-for-3, including a double, and scored three runs for the Patriots, while Austin finished the game with one strikeout and one walk allowed as she faced just two batters over the minimum.
Marlee Johnson was saddled with the loss for UMES, as she gave up five earned runs on nine hits.
Princeton pitcher Erin Snyder held Mason in check during the second game, recording eight strikeouts to just one walk and three hits, as the Patriots saw their four-game win streak grind to halt with the 6-1 loss.
Mason's lone run came in top of the sixth when Jen Schultz singled home Hartman, who started the two-out rally with a single to right field. The Patriots only other hit came from Tasha Galecki, who tripled to right field with one out in the second.
Princeton scored once in the first, four times in the third and once in the fourth.
Rene Leveque took the loss after working 2.2 innings and giving up four earned runs. Miranda Fox closed out the game for Mason, giving up three hits and one earned run.
George Mason plays Norfolk State Sunday morning at 9 a.m. before closing out the invitational with a playoff game at either 1 or 3 p.m., depending upon the results of the remaining tournament games.
