SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The George Mason softball team (5-2) continued their offensive output in Sunday morning's last game of the Spartan Classic, beating Maryland Eastern Shore 10-4. 

For the tournament, the Patriots went 3-1 and outscored their opponents 30-13. The Patriots extend their winning streak to three heading into their home opener.
 

Mason (5-2) vs. Maryland Eastern Shore (0-3)

The Patriot offense picked up where they left off yesterday by scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Senior shortstop Rachel Warrens hit a lead off single and later advanced to second on a wild pitch. After stealing third, rookie Alena Ball connected for an RBI single. Haley Taormina was third to bat in the game and hit a solo home run to left center to add to the Patriot lead.

The Patriots added to their lead in the third inning. After Alena Ball reached first base on a Hawk error and stole second, a Nicole Bechtel flyout advanced the freshman to third base, which set up senior infielder Maddy Myers. On the first pitch she saw, Myers hit a single to right center, sending Ball home, making the game 3-0.

However, Maryland Eastern Shore would take the lead in the top of the 4th. With one out, the Hawks loaded the bases. Sophomore McKenzie Abiley hit a double to left field, allowing two runs to score. Pitcher Aly Rayle would be able to strike out the next batter, but there would still be runners on second and third. With freshman Jaycee Holt up to bat, she reached base on an error which allowed the other two runners on base to score and for the Hawks to take the lead.

The Patriots stormed back to retake the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Graduate student Maggie Mrowka started the rally with a walk on a full count. Charlotte Montgomery would hit a bunt single to put two Patriots on base. Alena Ball then drew a four-pitch walk which allowed Haley Taormina's red hot bat to do more damage. On the first pitch she saw, the senior lined a bases-clearing, three run double to right field, doubling the Patriot score and retaking the lead.

Hawk fielding errors started to mount up in the later innings of the game. In the bottom of the fifth, Nicole Bechtel hit a lead off double, where freshman Kamryn Inman would come in to pinch run for the catcher. Elyssa DeRosa then drew a walk, giving the Patriots runners on first and second. Up next to bat was Maggie Mrowka, who reached first base on a Hawk throwing error, allowing both Inman and DeRosa to score, making it an 8-4 contest.

It was the same story in the sixth. Rachel Warrens walked and Alena Ball's single put two Patriots on base with nobody out. The Patriots initiated a double steal, which prompted the Hawk catcher to overthrow her attempt to catch one of the Patriots stealing. This allowed both Warrens and Ball to run home, making it a 10-4 game heading into the final inning.

Starting pitcher Aly Rayle had a solid start in this morning's game. The graduate student recorded five strikeouts in four innings of work. Unfortunately, the Hawks were able to put up four runs in the game, knocking her out of the game. Sophomore Jordan Anderson came in relief again and provided three hitless, scoreless innings. She struck out three Hawks on nine batters faced.

PATRIOT WEEKEND NUMBERS:

• Haley Taormina went 6-for-11 (.545) with two home runs, three doubles, and a team-leading 11 RBI

• Rachel Warrens went 5-for-13 (.385) with one home run and double totaling three RBI

• Jordan Anderson finished the weekend with three appearances. She pitched six innings, earned one win and allowed zero runs on two hits.

• Freshman Elyssa DeRosa went 4-10 (.400) and hit a three-run home run

• Freshman Alena Ball went 6-for-13 (.462) with two RBI

UP NEXT

The Patriots will have their home opener next weekend, Feb. 25-26. They will host Holy Cross in a three-game series. The Patriots will play their Cancer Awareness Game that weekend. There will also be a canned food drive.