March 22, 2006

Box Score

Baltimore, Md.--George Mason University's softball team faced UMBC on the Retrievers' home field Wednesday afternoon and fell by a score of 9-3. The Patriots' overall record now stands at 0-26, while UMBC improves to 21-6 on the year.

Heading into the top of the sixth down 6-0, sophomore catcher Emily Miller (Springfield, Va.) singled with one out, which was followed by a double from freshman shortstop Kelsey Mack (Reading, Pa.). Sophomore third baseman Kat Winter (Mentor, Ohio) put an explanation point to the inning as she homered to center to cut Mason's deficit to three runs, 6-3. The Patriots brought the tying run to the plate with one out after freshman pinch hitter Paige Miller (McLean, Va.) reached on an error and freshman right fielder Dee Murray (Culpeper, Va.) singled, but Lauren Nicholson escaped by getting two ground outs to end the inning.

The Retrievers scored three runs in the bottom of the inning, as both center fielder Kali Shirk and Stevie Shore extended their hitting streaks to 14 and eight, respectively. Shirk singled through the left side with one out, stole second and scored on Shore's two-out singled to left. Jessica Griffith reached on an error to plate Melanie Denischuk, who had walked, and Dana Shepherd doubled down the left field line to drive in Shore.

Mason sophomore second baseman Amanda Bach (Chesapeake, Va.) singled with one out in the top of the seventh, but Emily Miller grounded into a double play to end the game.

Emily Miller went 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Winter was 1-for-1 with a run and team-leading three RBI.

Freshman pitcher Rachel Hastings (Westborough, Mass.) started for Mason and suffered the loss, as she allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks with one strikeout in 2.1 innings of work. Freshman Ali Bryan (Midland Park, N.J.) relieved her and gave up three runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk with one strikeout in three innings, while sophomore Arielle Weinkofsky (Oakhurst, Va.) finished the game and allowed two runs (none earned) on two hits and one walk in 0.2 innings.

Nicholson went the distance and earned her ninth win of the season. She allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven in the seven-inning complete game.

The Patriots will return to action when they host Delaware on March 25 for a doubleheader with the first game beginning at 2 p.m.