March 22, 2009

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - Freshman Morgan Davis homered in the bottom of the seventh inning, but the George Mason softball team's rally fell short as the Patriots were defeated by Hofstra, 3-1, in a Colonial Athletic Association series sweep on Sunday afternoon.

Mason (13-14, 0-3 CAA) saw Hofstra (10-11, 3-0) ace Kayleigh Lotti have her second dominant performance of the weekend, as she allowed five hits and shut out the Patriots through six innings. Lotti improved to 8-4 with the victory, while Mason starter Becky Anderson fell to 7-8 despite a solid outing, allowing just two earned runs on six hits.

Both offenses struggled in the early going, but a pair of RBI singles by Michele DePasquale and Joanna Kralowetz in the third inning put the Pride ahead, 2-0. The Patriots responded with their first hit of the day in the bottom half, an Alison Bryan single to left, but did not move a runner into scoring position until the fifth inning.

Davis doubled to lead off the inning, a shot off the base of the center field wall, and was replaced by pinch runner Caitlin Stauffer. Stauffer moved within 60 feet on a groundout by designated player Kara Weiner, but was unable to cross the plate as another grounder ended the inning.

Hofstra's insurance run came in the top of the sixth inning, when Melissa Hodge singled, advanced on a fielder's choice, and scored on another fielder's choice as a Mason throwing error allowed her to come home.

After retiring the first batter in the seventh, Lotti tossed an 0-2 pitch that was sent over the fence in center field, Davis's second round-tripper of the season. After a groundout by Anderson, Weiner reached on a base hit. Representing the tying run, though, pinch hitter India Adams was retired on strikes as Lotti and the Pride earned the series sweep.

Mason opens a five-game road swing, traveling next weekend for a three-game set at Towson. Saturday's doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. in Towson, with the Sunday series finale set for 2 p.m.