WHEN: February 15-17, 2018
WHERE: Madeira Beach, Fla.
OPPONENTS: South Dakota and Central Arkansas – Friday at 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.; Butler and Murray State – Saturday at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Akron – Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
LIVE STATS: South Dakota | Central Arkansas
 
FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason softball team continues its start to the season in Florida, this time at the Madeira Beach Invitational on Feb. 15-17. The Patriots will face five opponents over the course of three days. 
 
Competition starts on Friday with South Dakota (2 p.m.) and Central Arkansas (4:30 p.m.). Mason then plays Butler (9 a.m.) and Murray State (2 p.m.) on Saturday, followed by Akron at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Patriots opening weekend was cut short due to inclement weather. Mason fell in its first three games of the season against Ohio State, Ole Miss and UCF. On the final day of the Friends of Jaclyn Tournament, the Patriots' games against Minnesota and UNF were rained out. 
 
IN THE CIRCLE
Bekah Ansbro, Marina Vitalich and Haellie Gordon will continue to bare the pitching load this weekend. The three pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts during opening weekend with Vitalich leading with seven. Ansbro leads the pitching staff with a 5.60 ERA and six strikeouts.
 
CURBEIRA CAN HIT
Senior Jess Curbeira notched a hit in all three games last weekend, two of which were doubles. Curbeira leads the team in batting average (.429) and slugging percentage (.714).
 
2018 RECAP
Mason finished the 2018 season 22-28 overall and 12-11 in the A-10 in 2018. The Patriots made it to the 2018 Atlantic 10 Championships before falling in the first round double-elimination tournament. The team's six saves will go down as the most in a single season, while the 20 home runs finish as the second most in school history. Their 154 walks (3^rd) and 227 strikeouts (3^rd) also crack the top-five.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
South Dakota: 4-1 Record
The Coyotes had a successful opening weekend at the Charleston Southern Tournament. South Dakota finished with a record of 4-1. The Coyotes split two games against the Dayton Flyers.
 
This will be the first meeting between the two teams. 
 
Central Arkansas: 3-2 Record
Central Arkansas finished a successful opening weekend, going 3-1 at the Black and Gold Invitational. The Bears' winning streak was halted after a midweek loss to Lyon College on Feb. 12.
 
Mason and Central Arkansas will meet for the first time this weekend.
 
Butler: 2-3 Record
The Bulldogs started the 2019 season at the Total Control Sports Invitational, finishing with a record of 2-3. Butler earned wins against IUPUI and Evansville. 
 
Murray State: 0-5 Record
Although Murray State fell in all of its opening weekend matches, the Racers competed hard in all games. Murray State dropped an extra-inning contest to Maryland and suffered a one-run loss to Troy. 
 
This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
 
Akron: 2-1-2 Record
Akron opened the 2019 season in unconventional fashion, finishing with an overall record of 2-1-2. For the third time in program history, the Zips ended two games in a draw. 
 
Mason and Akron's first meeting dates back to 1988. Since then, the two teams have competed 12 times with Akron holding a 9-3 advantage.