March 2, 2007

Fairfax, Va.-- George Mason University's softball team will host their annual Patriot Classic March 3-4 at George Mason softball field. Outside of Mason, the other schools competing at the Classic are Niagara, Cornell and Central Connecticut. The games are scheduled for 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. both days, with the Patriots' first game on Mar. 3 at 9 a.m. against Niagara.

Mason owns a 1-4 overall record, which includes a 2-1 victory over Alabama State in the closing game of the UCF Tournament on Feb. 25. In the third, Mason sophomore Ali Bryan (Midland Park, N.J.) reached first off of an error by Alabama State's Amber Smith and Bryan advanced to second after sophomore Kelsey Mack (Reading, Pa.) connected on a single up the middle. Freshman Becky Anderson (Oakton, Va.) followed with another single, and, with the bases loaded and two outs, junior Kristin Dickel hit a double, which brought home both Bryan and Mack. Freshman Becky Anderson collected her first collegiate win as she was on the mound for three innings and only allowed five hits, while striking out one of the 14 batters she faced.

The Big Red opens up its 14th season of play this weekend at the Patriot Classic. The Big Red Underhanders finished one game short of grabbing the title each of the last two years (10-4, 11-3). Two-thirds of the pitching staff returns along with talented veterans from the class of `08 and `09. The 2010 class includes nine new faces who will challenge for playing time.

Niagara also opens up its 2007 campaign on Saturday and will be Mason's first opponent of the weekend. Niagara returns 12 letterwinners, including seven starters, from the 2006 team. Senior Nicole Sum and junior Tory Healy headline the returners as they were named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference preseason team.

Central Connecticut, recently selected to finish ninth in the Northeast Conference according to the preseason coaches poll, will open its season on Saturday, March 3. The Blue Devils will face the Patriots in the first and last of four games this weekend. Central also has contests versus Cornell and Niagara. Last season, the Blue Devils finished 8-38 overall and 4-14 in the NEC. Seniors Pam Shifrin, Allie Falco, Tracy Guerrera and Alison Rossi will lead the Blue Devils into the 2007 campaign.

Mason will also face Central Connecticut on March 3 (1 p.m.) and will compete against Cornell (1 p.m.) and Central Connecticut (3 p.m.) the following day.

Patriot Classic Schedule
March 3, 2007
9 a.m.: Mason v. Niagara
11 a.m.: Niagara v. Cornell
1 p.m.: Mason v. Central Connecticut
3 p.m.: Cornell v. Central Connecticut

March 4, 2007
9 a.m.: Cornell v. Niagara
11 a.m.: Niagara v. Central Connecticut
1 p.m.: Mason v. Cornell
3 p.m.: Mason v. Central Connecticut