FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason Softball (4-3) enjoyed a successful start to their Home Opening Weekend, securing two decisive shutout victories at the GMU Softball Complex. The Patriots first defeated Hofstra (0-6) with a final score of 6-0 before following up with an 8-0 (6 inn.) win against FDU (0-6).
Game 1: George Mason vs. Hofstra, W 6-0
In the matchup against Hofstra, George Mason's offense was bolstered by three doubles, contributing to a six-run lead established by the end of the second inning. The scoring began in the first inning when Maddy Lemasters walked and advanced to second on a passed ball before Tess Altevers Harris doubled to bring her home. Madi Sobota also advanced, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Abbey Lane. Kamryn Inman then singled to drive in Sobota, making it 3-0 by the end of the first inning.
The second inning saw the Patriots extend their lead. After Madeline Staats walked and stole second, she scored on a passed ball. Sobota reached on a fielding error that allowed Altevers Harris to score, followed by Logan Pickford's single that drove in Sobota, bringing the score to 6-0 at the end of the second inning. The remainder of the game saw no further scoring, with George Mason's defense and pitching maintaining the shutout victory.
Abbey Lane delivered a dominant performance, pitching a complete game shutout over seven innings. Registering her second shutout of the season, Lane allowed just four hits and issued one walk while striking out six batters. Throwing 101 pitches, 67 of which were strikes, Lane's efforts resulted in a WHIP of 0.71. This victory improved Lane's record to 2-2 for the season. Harris recorded two runs, two hits, and a stolen base, contributing with a double and an RBI. M. Sobota added two runs and two hits, including a double, while driving in one run. L. Pickford finished with two hits and an RBI.
Game 2: George Mason vs. FDU, W 8-0 (6 inn.)
In their second game against FDU, the Patriots' offense was highlighted by a dominant seven-run third inning. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third when Madeline Staats began the inning with a single to left center and stole second. Maddy Lemasters walked, setting the stage for Tess Altevers Harris to hit a three-run homer to center field, scoring Staats and Lemasters. Altevers Harris' home run is her second of the season. Later in the inning, Alyssa Rangel singled and advanced on a fielding error, allowing two unearned runs to score. Payton Auerbach followed with an RBI single and then stole home on a wild pitch, concluding the inning with a total of seven runs for a 7-0 lead.
The Patriots added to their lead in the sixth inning when Lemasters walked and advanced to third on a single by Harris. A walk-off single by Alyssa Hopkins up the middle brought Lemasters home, marking the eighth run for the Green & Gold. The Patriots sealed an 8-0 win in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the run rule brought the game to an early close.
Freshman Alyssa Rangel delivered a complete game shutout, pitching 6 innings and allowing just 3 hits while striking out 7 batters. Rangel faced 24 batters, issuing 3 walks but maintaining a WHIP of 1.00. This performance secured Rangel's first career win with a pitch count of 98, of which 60 were strikes. Tess Altevers Harris recorded three RBIs, including a home run, while Madeline Staats contributed with two hits and three stolen bases. Freshman Alyssa Hopkins tallied two hits, including her first career double, and drove in a run.
The Patriots continue their first weekend at home on Saturday, February 21, at the George Mason Softball Complex in Fairfax, Va. Admission to all home softball games is free.
The remaining tournament schedule and live coverage information are listed below:
Saturday, February 21
12:30 p.m. vs. Hofstra | Live Stats
3 p.m. vs. FDU | Live Stats
