April 5, 2009

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason softball team pieced together another seventh-inning rally, but again it fell short as the Patriots were defeated by Drexel, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon to conclude the Colonial Athletic Association series with three losses.

Mason (14-23, 0-9 CAA) fell behind early and made a charge at the end, but the Dragons (18-11, 6-3) were able to hold on for the win.

An RBI single by Christina Rodriguez in the top of the first inning put the Dragons on the scoreboard first, and Drexel added a pair of runs two innings later to take a 3-0 lead. Both were charged as unearned to Mason starter Becky Anderson (7-16), who took the loss after six innings of work. A leadoff double by Ashley Botelho gave Drexel a runner in scoring position, and she would later score on a fielding error. The next batter, pitcher Hillary Allen, helped her own cause with an RBI groundout which allowed Rodriguez to score from third base.

Allen, who improved to 8-5 with a complete-game victory, allowed just five hits on the day as the Patriots' offense struggled until the seventh inning. Sophomore Kara Weiner reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second base on a groundout.

After a passed ball moved her within 60 feet of the plate, she came around to score on an RBI single to shortstop by freshman Alyssa See. With See aboard, senior Alison Bryan came to the plate representing the tying run with two outs, but she struck out swinging to end the threat.

Mason's offense was led by freshman Tori Dudley, who was 2-for-3, while Botelho completed a perfect 4-for-4 day, including a pair of doubles, to pace the Dragons.

The Patriots will hit the road for their next game action, traveling to Atlanta to face Georgia State for a three-game series next weekend.