GEORGE MASON (11-7, 0-0 A-10) vs. COPPIN STATE (2-7, 0-0 MID-EASTERN ATLANTIC)
GAME PROGRAM: Click Here
WHEN: Wednesday, March 15; 2 & 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Fairfax, Va. | George Mason Softball Complex
WATCH ON ESPN+: 2:00 p.m. | 4:30 P.M.
LIVESTATS: Click Here
HISTORY: Mason leads the all-time series 6-0; last met on March 9, 2022 (Mason won both games 7-2 & 9-4)

FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason softball team (11-7) will continue their Spring Break homestand, as they will host Coppin State (2-7) in a Wednesday doubleheader at the George Mason Softball Complex.

The Patriots are currently sitting at the top of the A-10 standings with a .610 winning percentage. The next closest team is George Washington with an 8-7 (.533) record.

Nationally, the Patriots as a team are ranked fourth in stolen bases per game (3.22). Individually, Haley Taormina is third in Doubles per Game (0.56), and Elyssa DeRosa (.440 / .533 / .760) ranks among the top 10 in freshmen batting average (.440) and fourth overall in triples (4).

A LOOK AT THE PATRIOTS
Mason is coming off a four-game weekend series with Binghamton. The Patriots and the Bearcats split the series two games per piece, with Mason winning both games on Saturday while Binghamton won Sunday's games.

Junior second baseman Marlaina Bozek (.455 / .536 / .591) led the team in hits (8-for-13), average (.615) and doubles (3). The leadoff hitter from Washington, Pa., scored four runs and batted in one run. Her consistent hitting and ability to get on base played a major role in Mason's two wins, both of which were decided by one run.

Graduate pitcher Aly Rayle (2-3, 3.28 ERA) earned a complete game win and struck out ten Bearcats in her two appearances over the weekend. 

Senior Haley Taormina (.411 / .462 / .786) and redshirt junior Nichole Bechtel (.278 / .328 / .389) tied for the most RBI over the weekend, each batting in four runs. Taormina hit the team's only home run, which was a three-run shot over the left field wall in Sunday's second game.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
The Eagles of Coppin State are coming into Fairfax on a five-game losing streak, with their two most recent games being canceled for weather-related reasons. During last weekend's JMU Dukes Invitational, Coppin State lost their games against Fairleigh Dickinson, James Madison and Saint Josephs by the scores of 3-7, 2-9, and 1-7, respectively. Their last win was when they visited Towson back on March 5, when the Eagles edged out the Tigers 4-3.


Their 16-player roster consists of 12 freshmen, two juniors, one senior and one redshirt senior. Freshman Seryna Esparza (.500 / .586 / .708) has a batting average of .500 (12-for-24). Not only does she lead the team in average, but she is ranked first nationally among freshmen batting averages. the Hollister, Calif., native also leads the team in hits (12), home runs (1) and RBI (4). On the pitching side, junior Vanessa Carrizosa (2-3, 4.98 ERA) has seen the most action. She has pitched 32.1 innings on the season and has two wins on the season.
 

HISTORY WITH THE EAGLES
This will be the seventh and eighth matchup between the Patriots and the Eagles. All six prior matchups have taken place in Fairfax. Their first matchup was back in 2008, when Mason routed Coppin State in a midweek doubleheader by the scores of 27-0 and 27-1. They would not meet again for over decade until 2019, when Mason swept the Eagles in a Thursday doubleheader by the scores of 3-1 and 6-0. Most recently, the Patriots and Eagles played each other last season, where the Patriots won 7-2 and 9-4 in another midweek doubleheader. 
 

UP NEXT
The Patriots will start conference play and complete their homestand this weekend, March 18-19, when new conference rival Loyola Chicago comes to Fairfax for a three-game series. Saturday's games will start at noon and 2:30 p.m., while Sunday's lone game will start at noon.