The George Mason softball team splits the series at UMass to close out the regular season. Despite winning a game, the Patriots will miss out on the A-10 conference tournament. The Patriots were in a battle for the last tournament spot with the Dayton Flyers. Dayton needed just one win against Fordham, and they got it in a ten-inning game, 10-9. The Patriots still capped off a successful season, in which Mason finished 22-21.
Game 1
Anna Blessing was locked in a pitching duel with Caroline Raymond for the first four innings of the game. The Patriots finally broke the deadlock in the top of the fifth inning, scoring two runs to take its first lead. After Tiffany Webb and Brooke Blankenship both reached base, Casey Price hit a single to bring in both runners for the Green and Gold.
The Patriots were able to score another run in the sixth inning after a suicide bunt from Mary O'Connor. Leading 3-0 with the bases loaded, Angela Maioran walked to increase the Patriots lead in the seventh. After Price scored on a fielder's choice, the Patriots took a 5-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning.
Anna Blessing closed out the win for the Patriots and finished off a terrific pitching performance. Blessing gave up just four hits and zero runs in a complete game shutout. Webb led the Patriot offense with three hits and two runs in the game. Maioran, O'Connor, and Sarah Solano each picked up an RBI.
Meanwhile, Carolina Raymond pitched all seven innings for the Minutewomen. Raymond gave up just three earned runs on six hits.
Game 2
The Patriots got off to a quick start in the second game against UMass. After Tiffany Webb reached base, Brooke Blankenship blasted her sixth home run of the year to give the Patriots a 2-0 lead in the first inning. After Julia Czarnecki hit a double and Webb reached on an error, Blankenship crushed her second home run of the day to increase the Patriots lead to five in the fourth inning.
However, the Minutewomen mounted a comeback bid against the Patriots in the seventh inning. After trailing 5-2, UMass was able to score four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to win the game and split the series. UMass scored the final run on a walk-off single up the middle by Taylor Carbone.
Anna Blessing got the start for the Patriots in game two as well. Blessing pitched three innings and gave up just one earned run on five hits. Christina Gabriele also pitched three innings for the Green and Gold. Gabriele gave up an impressive zero hits and zero runs. Senior, Stephanie Maher and Casey Herring both came into pitch the seventh inning to finish the game.
Blankenship led the Patriot offense in game two with two home runs, two walks and five RBI. Mary O'Connor, Casey Price, and Julia Czarnecki were each able to pick up a hit in the game as well.
Taylor Carbone finished with two hits and three RBI, including the walk off single to lead the UMass offense. Jena Cozza also finished with three hits and one RBI in the game. Tara Klee pitched a complete game and gave up three earned runs on five hits for the Minutewomen.
