WHEN: February 22-23, 2025
WHERE: Fairfax, Va. | George Mason Softball Field
OPPONENTS:
Sat., Feb. 22 – Saint Francis, 12:00 p.m.; 2:30 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 23 – Niagara, 12:00 p.m.; 2:30 p.m.

STREAMING:
Live stats vs. Saint Francis 
Live stats vs. Niagara
ESPN+
 
FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason softball team hosts Saint Francis and Niagara University for their home opener this weekend. The games will be played at the George Mason Softball Field. The softball team is teaming up with Brite Paths Food Pantry to host a canned food drive through all games this weekend.
 
A LOOK AT THE PATRIOTS
In the Tar Heel Invitational tournament, the Patriots went 2-2 overall. They split games the first day, beating Drexel in five innings, 8-0. Then, George Mason dropped a game to host UNC, 2-10. On the second day, the Patriots split games again, losing to Princeton 4-17, then beat Drexel in the last game of the tournament, 10-1.
 
Maddy Johnson received Atlantic 10 Player of the Week honors this past week after her weekend at the Tar Heel Invitational. In four games, she went 5-9 with four runs, three extra base hits, and three stolen bases. She hit her first career home run and hit a walk-off home run in the Patriots' win over Drexel.
 

TAR HEEL INVITATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Jordan Tallman (1-2) recorded her first win in the pitcher's circle (7 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1BB) this season against Drexel
• Sophomore Emily Lampela hit her first home run of the season
• Madi Sobota hit her first career home run
• Maya McGowan recorded her first career stolen base
• Maddy Johnson recorded her first career home run and later hit a walk-off home run
• Logan Pickford, Maddy Johnson, Elyssa DeRosa, Kamryn Inman, Emily Lampela, and Maya McGowan recorded doubles
• Kamryn Inman got her first start of the season
• Freshman Jasmine Mack hit her first career home run
• Elyssa DeRosa hit her first triple of the season
• Tess Altevers Harris recorded multiple hits this weekend
• Abbey Lane recorded her first career save in the pitcher's circle

 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
 
Saint Francis University
2024 record: 41-14, 24-0 Northeast Conference
Last season, Saint Francis was picked as the No. 1 seed in the Northeast Conference Tournament. The Red Flash beat everyone in their path and ultimately beat Central Connecticut, 12-0, to win the conference championship.
 
In 2024, Saint Francis had six players earn First-Team All-Conference honors: Rachel Marsden, Grace Vesco, Olivia Ulam, Ashley Orischak, Kaylie Walters, and Savannah Nash. Additionally, Annabelle Farmer and Ashley Wruble earned Second-Team All-Conference honors. Two players earned All-Rookie honors: Aliya Garroway and Kaylie Walters. Saint Francis earned Coaching Staff of the Year and Grace Vesco earned Pitcher of the Year.
 
This season, The Red Flash are 1-7 overall, coming off their most recent loss against UNC Greensboro. Savannah Nash leads the team in hitting with a .429 batting average. She has scored three runs, had nine hits, two home runs, and four RBIs on the year so far. AB Cipalla is second on the team in hitting with a .333 average. She has scored one run, had seven hits, and one RBI.
 
Niagara University
2024 record: 29-21, 16-7 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Last season, Niagara ended their season playing Marist in the quarterfinal round of the MAAC tournament. Maddie Hickingbottom earned Co-Pitcher of the Year honors, and three players earned All-Rookie Team honors: Brianna Delaney, Natasha Limbani, and Selah Moyer. Additionally, the Purple Eagles had four players earn All-MAAC Second Team honors: Shayna Myshrall, Maddie Hickingbottom, Brianna Delaney, and Lindsay Mayo.
 
The Purple Eagles will play their season-opening games this weekend in Baltimore, Maryland, against UMBC.
 

UP NEXT
After this weekend of two doubleheaders, the Patriots travel to Orlando, Florida, to play in the Charge on Classic tournament hosted by the University of Central Florida. George Mason will play two games on February 28^th, two on March 1^st, and one more game on Sunday, March 2^nd.