WHEN: February 19-20, 2022
WHERE: Greensboro, N.C. | Aggie Softball Complex (North Carolina A&T)
OPPONENTS: Fairleigh Dickinson, Feb. 19 at 9:30 a.m.; North Carolina A&T, Feb. 19 at 12 p.m.; Fairleigh Dickinson, Feb. 20 at 11 a.m.; North Carolina A&T, Feb. 20 at 1:30 p.m.
LIVE STATS
FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason softball team will open the 2022 season at the North Carolina A&T Aggie Invitational in Greensboro, N.C. from Feb. 19-20. Fairleigh Dickinson and North Carolina A&T comprise the bracket, along with the Patriots. The tournament is hosted by North Carolina A&T at the Aggie Softball Complex.
A LOOK AT THE PATRIOTS
Mason finished their 2021 season with an overall record of 18-17. The Patriots finished the year winning four of their final five games of the season.
The Green & Gold return 10 letter winners, including one starter from the pitching rotation last season. The Patriots also welcome back senior
Amber Verstynen (.306), junior
Rachel Warrens (.299) and sophomore
Sydney Bales (.288) who all led Mason in batting average in 2021.
Head coach
Justin Walker enters the 2022 season in his second year in his role. This will be Walker's fifth year with the Patriots. Walker adds
Desiree Ybarra to his staff as an assistant coach.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Fairleigh Dickinson, 2021 record: 11-21, 11-17 Northeast Conference
Fairleigh Dickinson ended their 2021 season with an overall record of 11-21, 11-17 in the conference. The Knights finished their season with a pair of losses to Hofstra.
Fairleigh Dickinson is led by junior Cassidy Triska. Triska was third on the team in batting average, recording a 0.289 mark on the season. The Knights return senior pitcher Alayna Savalio, who tallied a 2.75 ERA in the 2021 season. Savalio earned a spot on the NEC Second Team for her dominant effort on the mound during her junior campaign.
Triska, Savalio, and the Knights were picked to finish sixth in the Northeast Conference in the Preseason Poll. This is the first meeting between the two programs in school history.
North Carolina A&T, 2022 record: 2-3, 0-0 Big South
North Carolina A&T ended their 2021 season with an overall record of 11-31, 10-6 in conference play. Despite a strong conference record, the Aggies finished their season with a pair of losses from Norfolk State and North Carolina Central in the MEAC Championship tournament.
The Aggies come off their 2022 season opening weekend with a 2-3 record. North Carolina A&T is led by junior Latianna Langley. After playing in four of the five games for the Aggies, Langley has tallied a 0.500 batting average mark. From the bullpen, the Aggies are led by freshman Icess Tresvik, who has started two games thus far in her rookie season. Tresvik has tallied an ERA of 1.75 after eight innings pitched.
Langley, Tresvik, and the Aggies were picked to finish tenth in the Big South Preseason Poll, as this is their first season competing in the conference. This is the first meeting between the two programs in school history.
