BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The George Mason softball team (1-1) split their first two games of the 2023 season on Friday in Boiling Springs, N.C., at the Runnin' Bulldog Classic.
The Patriots fell to the Ohio Bobcats 6-5 before bouncing back to secure a 4-1 win against the Colonials of Robert Morris.
GAME 1: Mason (0-1) vs. Ohio (1-0)
In game one, the Patriots rallied from a 3-0 deficit to take the lead in the top of the seventh inning but were unable to close out the game in the bottom half of the final inning.
Ohio struck first, scoring a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning by Yasmine Logan. They would connect for another two-run home run hit by Annalia Paoli in the third, extending their lead.
The Patriots would begin to chip away at the Bobcat lead, starting in the fourth inning where
Maddy Myers reached on a fielder's choice, advancing
Haley Taormina to third base. A throwing error by the Ohio shortstop allowed Taormina to score, giving Mason the first run on the season. Later that inning,
Nicole Bechtel knocked in the first RBI of the season when her single drove
Maddy Myers home.
Mason set themselves up for a late-game rally at the top of the seventh inning. After loading the bases with nobody out, Freshman
Alena Ball singled to left field to tie the game.
Nicole Bechtel would make another clutch hit, this time driving in two runs with her single town the right field line. The Patriots were leading 5-3 going into the bottom of the final inning.
Ohio immediately tied the game with another Annalia Paoli two-run home run. The Bobcats would eventually walk off later in the game on a throwing error which allowed the final run.
Game 2: Mason (1-1) vs. Robert Morris (1-1)
The Patriots took an early lead in the first inning when a throwing error by the Colonials allowed
Alena Ball to reach home safely. After Ball walked and stole second base,
Haley Taormina grounded out to short and the ensuing throwing error advanced her to home plate.
The Colonials tied the game in the fourth inning with a line drive to center. The score would remained knotted until the seventh inning.
With one out in the top of the seventh inning,
Charlotte Montgomery ripped a triple down the right field line. She would eventually score on a fielder's choice. After
Rachel Warrens and
Alena Ball reached on base safely,
Haley Taormina extended the lead with a double to left center, driving both Ball and Warrens home and sealing the Patriots' first win of the 2023 season.
UP NEXT
The Patriots will face off against Robert Morris again on Saturday. They will also face off against Austin Peay later in the day. Starting times for both these games are subject to change. Livestats for both games can be found here:
vs. ROBERT MORRIS (SAT.) LIVE STATS
vs. AUSTIN PEAY LIVE STATS
