- George Mason split its Saturday doubleheader against Saint Joseph's.
- Junior Bekah Ansbro pitched a complete-game shutout in game one's 3-0 victory.
- The rubber match will be played at noon on Sunday at the SJU Softball Field.
FINAL: Mason 3, Saint Joseph's 0 (PDF Box Score)
FINAL: Mason 3, Saint Joseph's 5 (PDF Box Score)
Philadelphia, Pa. – The George Mason softball team split Saturday's doubleheader against Saint Joseph's to move to 16-20 overall and 4-7 in conference play. The Patriots picked up an impressive 3-0 win in the opening game of the series behind junior pitcher
Bekah Ansbro's one-hitter. In game two, Saint Joseph's responded with a 5-3 victory to split the day of play.
The rubber match is set for noon Sunday at the SJU Softball Field.
In game one, junior
Sydnee Wells hit her first home run of the season in the first inning to give Mason the early 1-0 advantage. The Patriots carried its first inning momentum to the second, tacking on another two runs. After
Madison Aker hit a leadoff single, freshman
Anna DiMari brought in Aker with a RBI groundout to second. Later in the frame,
Meghan Graham and Wells drew back-to-back walks to help load the bases. Redshirt sophomore
Adriana Erickson then notched a RBI single to left field.
Liz Seymour looked to extend Mason's lead with a leadoff double in the fifth inning. She later advanced to third on a passed ball. However, the Hawks managed to get the final two outs to end the inning. Again, Mason attempted to tack on runs to its lead in the top of the seventh. Senior
Jess Curbeira was hit by pitch. As
Saige Cisler came in to pinch run, she stole second and advanced to third on a groundout. Ultimately, the Patriots would strand Cisler on third. Despite the late-game opportunities, Mason's early runs propelled them to victory, 3-0.
Ansbro pitched a one-hitter, complete-game shutout. She struck out three batters against two walks to earn her eighth win of the season. After a flawless five innings, the Hawks spoiled the no-hitter with a single in the bottom of the sixth. After giving up only her second walk to start the bottom of the seventh inning, Ansbro got three straight SJU batters to fly out to end the game.
In game two, Mason's bats continued to impress in the early going. Wells and Erickson kept the line moving with back-to-back singles in the first inning. Curbeira then stepped up with a RBI single to center field to score Wells. SJU was able to respond in the bottom of the frame to tie the game, 1-1.
The Hawks would go on to score four runs, including a three-run homer in the fourth inning. Down 5-1, Mason loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth frame. Ultimately, the Patriots' rally came up short as SJU struck out Curbeira for the final out.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, the Patriots put together one final rally. Erickson hit a two-run home run to cut SJU's lead to two, 5-3. Ultimately, Seymour flied out to end the game.
Wells finished the day 4-for-7 at the plate while Erickson extended her hitting streak to 10 straight games with a hit.
