March 21, 2007

Box Score

Fairfax, Va.--In an afternoon that saw a total of four homeruns and two triples, George Mason University's softball team (10-14) swept UMBC (6-6) in a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon at George Mason Field. The Patriots won the first game by a score of 5-2 and then edged the Retrievers, 4-3, in the nightcap.

In the first contest, sophomore Ali Bryan, who had a 4-of-4 showing at the plate, led off with a single. Bryan then scored Mason's first run after junior Kristin Dickel smacked one down the rightfield line.

In the second, sophomore Paige Miller connected on her first triple of the season, but was able to cross home plate after UMBC's Kristi Troster overthrew the catcher to give the Patriots a two-run advantage. In the same inning, junior Katlyn Winter reached since she was hit by the pitch and scored after Bryan hit a single to centerfield.

Bryan scored again in the bottom of the fourth after sophomore Kelsey Mack hit a sacrifice groundout to collect an RBI. Sophomore Meghan Hill added to Mason's nine hit total of the first game as she followed Bryan with a single. Junior Emily Miller walked, but advanced after a wild pitch, which then scored Hill.

In the top of the seventh, with the score at 5-2 and bases loaded, freshman pitcher Becky Anderson pitched three-straight strikeouts to help secure Mason's victory. Sophomore Rachel Hastings earned the win for the Patriots as she pitched four innings and gave up two unearned runs off of four hits and Anderson only allowed one hit in three innings of work.

In the second contest, all three of the Retrievers runs were scored by solo homeruns from Dana Shepherd, Amanda Fefel and Ashley Gray. The Patriots responded in the fourth as Mack hit her first homerun of the year.

In the fifth, freshman Shaniqua Steele connected on her first collegiate triple and eventually scored to pull the Patriots within one to UMBC. Junior Mandy Bach, who followed Steele in the line-up, tied the game and Hill scored the game-winning run for Mason after Anderson reached on an error by Troster, but was then thrown out.

Paige Krystofinski earned her first win of the season as she gave up three earned runs off of six hits in 5.1 innings of work. Junior Arielle Weinkofsky was the reliever and earned her third save of the year as she only allowed two hits from the seven batters she faced.

The Patriots open up Colonial Athletic Association action this weekend at home with a doubleheader scheduled for March 24 (noon) and a single game at 11 a.m. the proceeding day.