April 18, 2009

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - Freshman Tori Dudley completed a 4-for-6 day but the George Mason softball team opened its Colonial Athletic Association series against UNC Wilmington with a pair of losses, as the Seahawks recorded 1-0 and 7-1 victories on Saturday afternoon at George Mason Field.

Mason (14-28, 0-14) was locked in a pitcher's duel with UNCW (10-25, 7-7) in the opening game before the Seahawks were able to plate a run in the top of the seventh inning off of starter Becky Anderson (7-17). Meanwhile, the Patriot offense had difficulty against UNCW's Amanda Davenport (5-11), who allowed just two hits in the complete game shutout.

Dudley led off the second inning with a single up the middle and moved into scoring position on an Anderson sacrifice bunt, but the Patriots were unable to advance her any further. Dudley would also represent the lone Mason player to reach second base on the day.

UNCW's scoring came with two outs in the top of the seventh inning, as Katie Kisner doubled and scored on Kelsey Eddinger's RBI single through the right side in the very next at-bat.

With two outs in the bottom half of the seventh, Dudley lined a base hit down the right field line but would remain there as a groundout ended the game.

Kisner and Eddinger led the Seahawk offense as each recorded a 2-for-3 game. Freshman Miranda Cranford represented the only other Patriot to reach base, as she drew a one-out walk on a full count in the fifth inning.

Following a short break, the teams returned to the field and the Patriots found offense early on, with Dudley blasting a double to center field which allowed freshman Rachael Davies to score after reaching on a walk.

UNCW answered two innings later, as Morgan Walters singled to right to score Eddinger and tie the game at 1-1. The Patriots were unable to regain the lead, as Walters had another RBI base hit in the fifth inning to give UNCW the lead and the Seahawks posted five runs in the sixth inning.

Amanda Aditays (4-9) earned the win for the Seahawks, allowing no earned runs and seven hits in a complete game, while Cranford took the loss in a seven-inning outing, allowing 10 hits and five earned runs.

Dudley was joined with two hits in the game by sophomore Stephanie Strother, who was 2-for-3 as well, while Walters and Eddinger each posted two hits to lead the Seahawks.

The teams will take to the field on Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m. for the series finale.