April 23, 2010
Watch Coach Verbanic's Preview of the Georgia State Series
Listen to Free LIVE Audio of Saturday's Doubleheader: Game 1
Listen to Free LIVE Audio of Saturday's Doubleheader: Game 2
The George Mason softball team will look to push towards a potential berth in the Colonial Athletic Association Championship when it hosts Georgia State on Saturday and Sunday for a three-game set, Mason's final home weekend of the season.
Saturday's doubleheader begins at 12 p.m. with the series finale also scheduled for noon Sunday. Mason will welcome back its former players this weekend, and in between games Saturday, will honor CAA Silver Anniversary Team selection Stacy James. On Sunday prior to first pitch, the Patriots will recognize its two-person senior class of Kate Bustin and Becky Anderson.
Admission to all games at the Mason Softball Complex is free.
Mason enters the weekend with a 15-20 mark and 4-8 record in CAA play, one game out of a three-way tie for third place. The Patriots, who are playing .500 ball in the month of April, are coming off a doubleheader split at Mount St. Mary's on Wednesday and a 1-2 weekend at conference foe Drexel in Philadelphia last weekend.
The Patriot offense continues to be paced by sophomore Rachael Davies, who has ranked in the top-20 all season and currently is batting at a .293 clip. Leading the scoring efforts has been sophomore Katie Rynex, whose 21 RBIs is highest on the team. In the circle, Anderson continues to lead the way with her 8-4 record and 1.57 ERA, a figure which ranks third among conference pitchers.
Georgia State comes to Fairfax with an 8-4 CAA record and 29-14 overall, holding a one-game cushion on second place in the standings. The CAA's leading offense, the Panthers are batting .277 as a team while holding the third-best team ERA of 2.59. One stat where the Panthers are unsurpassed is turning double plays, as GSU leads the nation with 30. Danielle Roddy leads the team and is second in the CAA with her .364 average.
Mason trails in the all-time series between the two teams, 19-4, including a sweep last year in Georgia. The last victory for the Patriots over the Panthers came in 1989, a 8-3 decision in Atlanta.
Following Sunday's game, the Patriots will be in action just one more time at home, a midweek matchup on Wednesday against George Washington at 4 p.m.
Alumni Day Dinner - Weather Issues: In the event that inclement weather affects the alumni dinner scheduled for after Saturday's doubleheader, it will be moved to the south end of the Field House. Check GoMason.com throughout the weekend for any updates.
