- The Patriots split the first day of the Mason Invitational, picking up a 6-1 win over Cornell.
- Bekah Ansbro set a new career-best in strikeouts with 13 against the Big Red.
- Mason heads into Saturday with a 6-10 overall record.
FINAL: Mason 6, Cornell 1 (PDF Box Score)
FINAL: Mason 0, Sacred Heart 2 (PDF Box Score)
FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason softball team split the first day of the Mason Invitational on Friday. The Patriots' bats came alive in their first game of the day against Cornell, defeating the Big Red 6-1. In the final contest of the day, Mason threatened with a comeback in the final inning of play; but ultimately came up short against Sacred Heart, 2-0. Mason heads into Saturday with an overall record of 6-10.
Against Cornell, junior pitcher
Bekah Ansbro had another impressive showing in the circle, collecting a career-high 13 strikeouts. The Woodstock, Va., native recorded her third win of the season, improving her record to 3-4. Her career-setting performance came just a week after she notched her first career no-hitter on March 9.
Offensively, seven Patriots recorded a hit in the victory, including two hits apiece by
Marissa Butts and
Amber Verstynen. Freshman
Hannah Thomas notched her first career RBI in the bottom of the fifth inning to give Mason the 4-1 lead. A two-run, three-hit sixth inning extended Mason's lead to five, 6-1. Verstynen,
Meghan Graham and
Liz Seymour all tabbed singles in the inning.
In Mason's second game of the day, the Patriots struggled offensively, only notching one hit in the contest. Nonetheless, the Patriots used a sharp eye to get on base, drawing five walks. Two of the five walks came in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Patriots began their comeback. Mason loaded the bases with one out; but ultimately Sacred Heart recorded the final two outs to end the game. The Pioneers earned the 2-0 victory thanks to a two-run third inning.
Pitcher
Haellie Gordon recorded the loss to drop to 1-5 on the season.
UP NEXT
Mason takes on Sacred Heart at 1:15 p.m. Saturday, followed by East Carolina at 6 p.m. at the George Mason Softball Complex.
