FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason softball team opens its 2026 home season this weekend at the George Mason Softball Complex, hosting Hofstra and Fairleigh Dickinson from Friday, February 20 through Saturday, February 21. All home softball games are not ticketed and free to attend for all.
The Patriots' tournament schedule and live coverage information are listed below:
Friday, February 20
3:30 p.m. vs. Hofstra |
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ESPN+
6 p.m. vs. FDU |
Live Stats | Watch live on
ESPN+
Saturday, February 21
12:30 p.m. vs. Hofstra |
Live Stats
3 p.m. vs. FDU |
Live Stats
LAST TIME OUT
At the Charleston Invitational, the Patriots opened the 2026 season with a 2-3 record. George Mason earned wins over Central Michigan (8-7) and Charleston Southern (8-0), while falling in matchups to College of Charleston (8-7, 8 inn.), Marist (12-2, 5 inn.), and St. John's (5-4).
The Patriots showcased offensive depth throughout the weekend, seeing key contributions from both veterans and newcomers across the lineup.
Senior
Tess Altevers Harris and freshman
Payton Auerbach earned Atlantic 10 weekly honors following their standout performances at the tournament. Altevers Harris was named A-10 Player of the Week after batting .533 with a .632 on-base percentage and .933 slugging percentage, totaling eight hits, four RBIs, three runs scored, and five stolen bases. She homered in the season opener and recorded three doubles over the weekend.
Auerbach earned A-10 Rookie of the Week honors after hitting .375 with six hits, five RBIs, six runs scored, and a double in her collegiate debut weekend. She recorded RBI singles in back-to-back games to open her career and made an immediate impact in the Green & Gold lineup.
CHARLESTON INVITATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Harlowe Nigh (1-0) tossed two perfect innings in relief to secure the season-opening win against Central Michigan
- Abbey Lane threw a complete-game shutout in an 8-0 win over Charleston Southern
- Five freshmen recorded their first career hits
- Alyssa Rangel made her collegiate debut in the circle and recorded five strikeouts
- Maddie Lemasters tallied her first career triple and home run
- Madeline Staats recorded her first career double
- Logan Pickford registered her first home run of the season and totaled six RBIs
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Hofstra
2025 record: 22-28, 15-12 CAA
The Pride opened the 2026 season under new head coach Susan Cassidy-Lyke at FGCU's Eagle Invitational last weekend, dropping all five games. Senior Alanna Morse, a 2025 All-CAA Second Team selection, is a key returnee, leading the team with a .438 batting average and seven hits. Gemma D'Orazio has provided power in the lineup, registering three RBIs and Hofstra's sole home run. Gabby Sultan also recorded two doubles in the Pride's first five games. On the pitching side, freshman Madison Steepe leads the team in innings pitched (13.2), strikeouts (7), and has thrown one complete game.
Fairleigh Dickinson
2025 record: 24-26, 13-8 NEC
FDU enters the 2026 season ranked third in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll, coming off a third-place finish in last year's conference. The team returns much of its core lineup, including three All-NEC performers. Sophomore Madison Rishel set FDU single-season records in 2025 with a .398 batting average and 70 hits, earning NEC Rookie of the Year, All-NEC First Team, and NEC All-Rookie Team honors. Sophomores Kailee O'Sullivan and Brianna Holguin, also members of last year's NEC All-Rookie team, provide additional experience in the lineup.
FDU opened the 2026 season at a tournament co-hosted by USD and UCSD, dropping all five games so far this year. O'Sullivan and fellow sophomore Zoe Milonopoulos each recorded their first doubles of the season.
