Feb. 27, 2009

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - Junior Becky Anderson held Akron hitless through five and two-thirds innings, and the George Mason softball team pushed through two runs for a 2-1 victory on Friday afternoon in the opening game of the 2009 Patriot Classic at George Mason Field.

Anderson (4-2) scattered two hits as she allowed no earned runs in a complete-game performance. Leading the Mason offense was sophomore Anush Mooradian, who was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Andrea Arney (2-3) took the loss for the Zips (4-6).

Mason struck first in the bottom half of the first inning, as Mooradian's single to left scored freshman Alyssa See, who walked to reach base. The Patriots added the game-winning run three innings later, with freshman Miranda Cranford's sacrifice fly to centerfield scoring pinch runner Caitlin Stauffer.

The no-hitter was in play until, with two outs in the top of the sixth inning, Alex Feltes singled through the left side. Crystal Hernandez singled in the seventh and after being replaced by pinch runner Alex Helfrich, Helfrich cut the gap in half by scoring on a throwing error. Anderson induced a groundout to Lisa McLean to end the game and seal the victory, Mason's fifth-straight home win.

The Patriot Classic continues through Sunday, with Mason scheduled to face Saint Joseph's on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. before a 4 p.m. matchup against Penn later in the day. Due to the threat of inclement weather throughout the weekend, check GoMason.com frequently for any schedule changes or cancellations.