FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason softball team (2-0) swept Saint Joseph's in the Patriot's season-opening doubleheader on Saturday.
The Green & Gold won the first game by a score of 10-6, and won the second game by a score of 8-0 (six innings).
"Our team has been through a lot of emotions since the return to campus this spring," head coach Justin Walker said. "They did a great job handling those emotions, which allowed them to enjoy the process today while have fun playing the game they love."
GAME ONE: Mason 10, SJU 6
In the first contest, Mason fell behind a run in the first inning but the Green & Gold were able to produce seven runs in the second and third innings to take a commanding 7-3 lead.
The Patriots tallied five runs on six hits in the third inning to add some insurance runs for starting pitcher Bekah Ansbro. Mason would maintain the four-run advantage to victory.
Ansbro tallied her first win of the season in her first start, recording four strikeouts in 5.1 innings of work. Freshman Carly Cooper made her Mason debut on Saturday, earning her first collegiate strikeout in 1.2 innings pitched.
Junior Taylor Dadig went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while sophomore Haley Taormina notched two RBI of her own, going 2-for-4 in game one.
Freshman Marlaina Bozek went 2-for-4 with an RBI in her first collegiate start. Senior Meghan Graham, junior EJ Bankson and sophomore Allison Torstensen all earned an RBI in the first game on Saturday.
GAME TWO: Mason 8, SJU 0
In the final game, senior Haellie Gordon recorded a complete game shutout, surrendering only six hits and a walk in 6.0 innings pitched, including four strikeouts.
But Gordon didn't just get it done in the circle, the starting pitcher went 2-for-3 at the plate for the Patriots with a two-RBI double in the fourth inning.
Senior Meghan Graham led Mason at the plate with three hits, including two RBI and a walk. Bozek went 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Dadig and senior Marissa Butts each added an RBI in the win.
"The offense did a great job all day today, scoring in 10 of the 13 innings," Walker stated post game. "We stuck with our game plan and executed at a high-level in both games. In the second game, we performed well in all phases and came up with key hits with runners in scoring positions."
UP NEXT
The Patriots will host a four-game weekend series against St. Bonaventure on Saturday, March 13, and Sunday, March 14, to officially begin Atlantic 10 conference play. First pitch for both days are noon ET.
"The coaching staff is proud of the team and the work that they have put it in since August and we look forward to getting back to practice tomorrow and preparing for St. Bonaventure next weekend," Walker said.
