CHARLESTON, S.C. - George Mason softball opened the 2026 season by competing in the Charleston Invitational, co-hosted by the College of Charleston and Charleston Southern University. The Patriots faced a full slate over Opening Weekend and finished the tournament with a 2–3 record.
Game 1: George Mason vs. Central Michigan, W 8-7
George Mason (0-1) secured an 8-7 victory over Central Michigan University (1-1) on their first game of the season. The Patriots capitalized on two home runs and a four-run second inning to edge past Central Michigan, who managed nine hits and four doubles in a closely contested game.
George Mason took an early lead in the first inning when Tess Altevers Harris walked and later scored on Logan Pickford's two-run home run to deep center field, making it 2-0. Central Michigan responded with two runs of their own through a two-RBI double by Rachel Cairo, leaving the score tied at 2-2 after the first inning.
In the second inning, Kamryn Inman reached base and advanced to third on a throwing error, eventually scoring on another error. Altevers Harris then hit a three-run homer to left center, pushing the Patriots ahead 6-2. Central Michigan cut the deficit with a two-RBI double by London Williams and a subsequent RBI double by Jenna Kuzara, narrowing the gap to 6-5.
George Mason extended their lead in the third inning with Abbey Lane scoring on freshman Payton Auerbach's first career RBI single, bringing the score to 7-5. Central Michigan was held scoreless in the third as the Green & Gold maintained their lead.
In the fourth inning, Central Michigan managed to tie the game 7-7, scoring two unearned runs due to errors by George Mason. The Patriots, however, regained the lead in the seventh inning when Madi Sobota scored on a single by Pickford, making it 8-7.
George Mason's pitching change in the sixth inning, bringing Harlowe Nigh to the mound, proved successful as Central Michigan was held scoreless for the final two innings. This defensive effort secured an 8-7 victory for the Green & Gold.
Harlowe Nigh pitched 2 innings in relief, allowing no hits and no runs while striking out one batter. Nigh faced six batters, recording two fly outs and three ground outs, contributing to a perfect stint on the mound. The senior pitcher required only 22 pitches to complete her outing, with 14 of those being strikes.
Tess Altevers Harris contributed significantly by hitting a home run and driving in three runs, while also scoring twice and stealing a base. Pickford also made a strong impact with a home run, two hits, and three RBIs. Inman added a hit and a run while successfully stealing a base.
Game 2: George Mason vs. College of Charleston, L 7-8 (8 inn.)
George Mason (1-1) dropped a hard-fought battle to College of Charleston (1-1), 8-7, in eight innings. The Patriots managed to accumulate 10 hits, including a home run, but their efforts were ultimately surpassed by Charleston's timely scoring, especially in the fourth and eighth innings.
George Mason started strong in the third inning with a key play from Tess Altevers Harris, who doubled to deep center field, driving in Payton Auerbach from second base, giving the Green & Gold a 1-0 lead. The momentum continued in the fourth inning as Kaleigh Friend, pinch-hitting, singled to center field, allowing Alyssa Rangel to score an unearned run, extending the lead to 2-0. However, Charleston responded with a three-run homer by Hailey Seymour and and an RBI single by Bronwyn Conroy, taking the lead 4-2.
In the sixth inning, the Patriots' offense surged. Auerbach's single brought in Rangel, followed by Kaitlyn Bronowicz reaching on an error, which scored Auerbach. Maddie Lemasters then hit a two-run homer, bringing George Mason to a 6-4 lead. Charleston narrowed the gap with two runs in the bottom of the inning, making it 6-6. In the bottom of the seventh inning, relief pitcher Abbey Lane faced a bases-loaded situation with two outs and a full count, recording a key strikeout to send the game to extra innings.
The Patriots pushed ahead again in the eighth inning. A sacrifice fly by Lemasters scored Auerbach, giving them a 7–6 edge. Yet, Charleston capitalized on their opportunities in the bottom of the eighth, tying the score with Julia Sitterding's RBI single and sealing their victory with Leela Langston's walk-off single, resulting in an 8-7 win for Charleston.
Freshman Alyssa Rangel made her collegiate debut in the circle as the Patriots' starting pitcher. In the third inning, Rangel recorded her first career strikeout and went on to strike out all three batters in the frame. She finished the game with five strikeouts swinging. Fellow freshman Maddie Lemasters also made an impact, recording her first career hit - a two-run home run.
Game 3: George Mason vs. Marist, L 2-12 (5 inn.)
George Mason (1-2) fell to Marist (2-1), 12-2, on the second day of the tournament. The Patriots recorded four hits, including a triple, but were unable to overcome Marist's seven-run second inning.
In the first inning, Marist took an early lead as Annabelle Geiser scored on a groundout. The Patriots were unable to score, trailing 1-0 after the first. Marist extended their lead significantly in the second inning, scoring seven runs, including a two-RBI single by Haley Ahr and a two-RBI triple by Peyton Pusey, making it 8-0 at the end of the inning.
George Mason was unable to respond in their half, and in the fourth inning, Marist added two more runs through a combination of a triple and a sacrifice fly. The Patriots got on the board when Logan Pickford, who was hit by a pitch and stole second, scored on a single by freshman Madeline Staats, marking her first career hit and RBI, bringing the score to 10-1 after the fourth.
Marist continued to add pressure in the fifth inning with two more runs off a triple and sacrifice fly. George Mason responded with Maddie Lemasters scoring on a sacrifice fly by Pickford, but the margin remained significant. The game concluded with Marist securing a 12-2 victory over the Green & Gold in just five innings due to the mercy rule.
Game 4: George Mason vs. Charleston Southern, W 8-0
George Mason (2-2) secured an 8-0 victory over Charleston Southern (0-3). The Patriots' offense was highlighted by a four-run second inning, while pitcher Abbey Lane threw a complete-game shutout, limiting Charleston Southern to just five hits.
The game began with a scoreless first inning for both teams. In the top of the second, George Mason capitalized on errors by Charleston Southern, scoring four unearned runs. Kamryn Inman doubled and eventually scored on a throwing error, while Payton Auerbach reached on a fielder's choice and scored on another error. Logan Pickford's single drove in two more runs, giving George Mason a 4-0 lead.
The third inning saw Inman scoring again, this time reaching on an error and advancing on a steal. Auerbach grounded out to bring Inman home, pushing the lead to 5-0. Charleston Southern remained scoreless through the third.
In the fifth inning, the Green & Gold added two more runs. Inman singled and stole second, advancing to third on a flyout before Auerbach's double brought her home. Maddie Lemasters followed with a single to score Auerbach, extending the lead to 7-0.
The seventh inning featured one more run for George Mason. Freshman Madeline Staats delivered her first career double and advanced to third on a wild pitch, scoring on a groundout by Auerbach. Charleston Southern's final attempt in the bottom of the seventh yielded no runs, securing the 8-0 win for the Patriots.
Game 5: George Mason vs. St. John's, L 4-5
George Mason (2-3) was edged out by St. John's (4-1) with a final score of 5-4 on the final day of the Charleston Invitational. A four-run fourth inning by George Mason was not enough to overcome the offensive output of St. John's, who tallied 10 hits in the game.
St. John's struck first with a solo home run by Elanna Lysiak in the fourth inning. However, George Mason responded emphatically in the bottom of the inning. Logan Pickford reached base with a single and advanced to third on a fielding error, while Kamryn Inman also reached on an error. Kaleigh Friend then drove both runners home with a two-RBI double to put George Mason ahead. Payton Auerbach reached base on another error, allowing Friend to advance to third. Madeline Staats added to the scoring, reaching on an error that brought in two more unearned runs, giving George Mason a 4-1 lead after the fourth.
In the fifth inning, St. John's rallied back with three runs, highlighted by a two-RBI triple from Jess Bianco, leveling the score again. St. John's added another run in the sixth inning to take the lead. Despite late-game opportunities, George Mason was unable to overcome the deficit, with the final inning remaining scoreless. St. John's secured a narrow 5-4 victory, overcoming the Patriots' strong fourth inning.
Kaleigh Friend recorded two RBIs with a double, contributing to the team's scoring effort. Tess Altevers Harris added a hit in three plate appearances, including a double, while also making four assists in the field. Abbey Lane pitched her second complete game of the season.
George Mason softball will host their first home games of the 2026 season this weekend, hosting Morehead State and Cornell at the George Mason Softball Complex in Fairfax, Va. The Patriots will begin the tournament facing Morehead State on Friday, February 13 at noon.
