KINGSTON, R.I. – The George Mason softball team (20-32, 11-15 A-10) won their final game of the 2024 season by beating Rhode Island (15-37, 10-16 A-10) 3-2 at the URI Softball Complex on Sunday afternoon.

With Sunday's win, the Patriots finish with 20 or more overall wins in the regular season for the third consecutive year.

PATRIOT HIGHLIGHTS

• Five Patriots recorded multiple hits (Sydney Bales, Maddy Myers, Marlaina Bozek, Rachel Warrens & Dara Sharpe) compared to Rhode Island's two.

• Sydney Bales recorded a team-high two RBI on the day. Maddy Myers added one more RBI for a team-high & career-high total of 28.

• Carly Cooper won her seventh pitching decision on the year and finished the season with a career-low 3.71 ERA. Harlowe Nigh pitched in relief starting in the sixth inning and earned her first-career save.

• The Patriots turned one double play on the game and finished with a conference-high 34 double plays.

GEORGE MASON 3, RHODE ISLAND 2
George Mason took an early lead in the top of the first inning after Rachel Warrens (2-3, R, 2B, HBP), got on base with a double to center field, followed by an immediate RBI double by Sydney Bales (2-3, R, 2 RBI, 2B, BB).

The Patriot lead would not be held for long, as Rhode Island would put up two runs in the bottom half of the opening frame. With runners on second and third, Kylie Bulinkski (1-3, 2 RBI, BB) hit a two-run single to right field, clearing the bases and giving the Rams the 2-1 lead.

After a scoreless second inning for both teams, George Mason tied the game in the top of the third. After Bales collected her second hit of the day with a single up the middle, the Patriots' RBI leader Maddy Myers (2-4, RBI) hit a single up the middle which allowed the speedy Bales to round all the bases and reach home. With that RBI, Myers reached her career-high in RBI total of 28, breaking her 27 RBI campaign made last year.

The game would remain tied until the top of the fifth inning. With the rain starting to come down on the URI Softball Complex, the Patriots opened the inning with a Dara Sharpe (2-3) leadoff single, who would later be replaced with pinch runner Kamryn Inman (1 R), a Marlaina Bozek (2-4, 2B) single down the right field line, and a Warrens hit by pitch.

With the bases loaded and nobody out, Bales was back at the plate, where the senior from La Plata, Md., drew a crucial walk, scoring Inman and retaking the Patriot lead. That would be the only run generated in the inning, however, as Bozek was caught stealing at home during the walk and the next two batters' shots were caught by the Ram infield.

Rhode Island threatened to score in the bottom of the fifth by loading the bases themselves, this time with two outs. However, starting pitcher Carly Cooper (5.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) and the Patriot defense was able to get out of the jam by getting the third out with a ground out to second.

Cooper finished her final start by pitching five innings, striking out four batters and only allowing one walk. By only giving up two runs in the game, the senior from Seneca Rocks, WVa., lowered her season ERA to a career-low 3.71.

In to pitch in relief would be Harlowe Nigh (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K) to start the sixth inning. The sophomore only surrendered one hit and would end up recording the final six outs without giving up the lead, earning her first collegiate save.