Feb. 15, 2009

Box Score

ORLANDO, Fla. - In its final game at the UCF Early Bird Tournament, the George Mason softball team was unable to counter two unanswered runs by Bradley as the Braves topped the Patriots, 2-1, in eight innings. Mason finished its opening weekend of play with a 1-4 record.

Sophomore Becky Anderson (1-2) tossed a complete game in the losing effort, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits while fanning five Braves. Katie Dennis earned the win after pitching seven innings and allowing one run on five hits. Ashley Birdsong threw a perfect eighth to pick up the save.

Five Mason players tallied a hit in the game, including an RBI single by freshman Alyssa See in the third inning. After freshman Tori Dudley's bunt single led off the inning, a base hit from senior Meghan Hill moved Dudley into scoring position. On the next play, Dudley was tagged out at third on a fielder's choice as Hill advanced to second. As See's single slid through the right side of the infield, Hill scored from second to put Mason ahead 1-0.

That score held until the top of the seventh, as Jacqueline Vitale homered to lead off the inning and tie the game. The game-winning run came in the eighth inning, as Anne Creighton started on second base due to tiebreaker rules and scored on an RBI single from Alycia Bachkora.

Dudley began the bottom half of the inning at second base but the Patriots were retired in order to end the game.

Mason is back in action this Saturday, as the Patriots open their brand-new home ballpark with a four-game series against Youngstown State. Saturday's doubleheader is set for 11 a.m., with the Sunday twinbill scheduled for 10 a.m.