FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason softball program has released its opponents for the 2019 season. The slate includes 55 regular season games with three home tournaments. Mason will face seven 2018 NCAA Regional Tournament participants; Ohio State, Ole Miss, Monmouth, Saint Francis (Pa.), Albany, Minnesota, and defending A-10 champion Fordham. 
 
The Patriots kick off the 2019 season at the Friends of Jaclyn Tournament, hosted by the University of Central Florida, from Feb. 8-10. Mason begins the tournament with a game against Ohio State on Feb. 8, followed by games against Ole Miss and UCF on Feb. 9. The Patriots round out opening weekend with Minnesota and UNF on Feb. 10. 
 
Mason then heads to Madeira Beach, Fla., for the EMU Madeira Beach Spring Invitational from Feb. 15-17. Making its third appearance in the tournament, the Patriots will face five opponents: South Dakota and Central Arkansas on Feb. 15, Butler and Murray State on Feb. 16 and Akron on Feb. 17.
 
To open March, the Patriots return to Fairfax, Va., for the 15th annual Patriot Classic. Mason will host Colgate and Albany from March 1-3 for the first of three home tournaments.
 
The following weekend the Patriots welcome Marshall, Monmouth and Lafayette to the George Mason Softball Complex for the Cherry Blossom Classic from March 8-10.
 
Mason concludes tournament play with the Mason Invitational, set for March 15-17. The Patriots host Cornell, East Carolina and Sacred Heart as part of the three-day competition. 
 
After a midweek home matchup against Saint Francis on March 10, the Patriots hit the road to open Atlantic 10 play with the Dayton Flyers on March 23.  
 
Mason returns home to host Towson on Wednesday, March 27. The Patriots round out March with a home series against defending A-10 champion Fordham, including a doubleheader on March 30 followed by a game on March 31.
 
The Patriots start April in Kingston, R.I., with a series against the Rhode Island Rams, set for April 6-7. After a midweek home game versus Coppin St. on April 10, the Patriots face St. Joseph's in Philadelphia, Pa., from April 13-14. A doubleheader scheduled against A-10 foe George Washington on April 17 concludes the road portion of the schedule.
 
Mason wraps up the regular season with a three-week homestand. First, La Salle comes into town for a series set for April 19-20, followed by a midweek game against Georgetown on April 24. St. Bonaventure is the next A-10 opponent to pay a visit to Fairfax, Va., on April 27-28. The final regular season series is set for May 4-5 against UMass. 
 
Should the Patriots qualify, the Atlantic 10 Tournament will be held from May 8-11 at UMass. 
 
The NCAA Tournament is set to begin with the regional round on May 16, followed by the Super Regionals from May 25-28 with date and time to be announced. 
 
Head coach Joe Verbanic returns to the helm for his 15th season at Mason. He will be assisted by Justin Walker (second season) and Karla Powell (first season).
 
To view the 2019 season in list form, click here.