May 3, 2008

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Opening its final series of the 2008 regular season, the George Mason softball team was unable to overcome strong pitching by Hofstra University as the Pride dealt the Patriots two losses in Colonial Athletic Association action at the Hofstra Softball Stadium. Hofstra (38-10, 17-3) clinched the CAA regular-season title with the 4-0 win in the first game, while the Patriots were denied their 20th win, falling to 19-31, 6-12 in conference play after the 9-1 loss in the second game.

Hofstra's Kayleigh Lotti (16-5) pitched a complete-game, two-hit shutout in the opener to start, while Mason sophomore Becky Anderson tossed six innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits in the loss. The Pride were led by a 3-for-3 game from Erika Bernstein, while Mason's two hits came from sophomore Shaniqua Steele and junior Kelsey Mack.

Mason was held hitless through three innings while the Pride built a 3-0 lead. In the fourth, though, Steele led off with a single to shortstop to breakup the no-hit bid. She would advance to third on a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch, but was unable to score as two of Lotti's 12 strikeout victims ended the inning. Hofstra's final run of the game came in the bottom half of the fourth inning, as a Courtney Oliver single with runners on the corners set the final margin at 4-0.

In the second game of the doubleheader, another two-hit pitching performance limited the Mason offense, this time coming from Oliver (10-1). Freshman Whitney Bullins (2-2) took the loss after starting and allowing four runs. Sara Michalowski was 3-for-3 with a pair of RBIs for the Pride, while sophomores Ashli Breau and Kate Bustin each tallied a hit for the Patriots.

The Patriots again had offensive struggles early, as they were unable to manage a hit until the top of the third inning, as Bustin led off with a single to left field. In the meantime, Hofstra had built a 4-0 lead. Mason ended the shutout in the top of the fourth inning, as a fielding error allowed sophomore Ciera Jones to score. Jones walked to begin the inning and moved over to third on Breau's double to right-center field.

However, the Pride answered back with five runs in the fourth and fifth innings, inducing a run-rule victory.

Mason will close out the 2008 regular season on Sunday afternoon, looking to prevent a sweep by the Pride when the two teams do battle at 12 p.m.