GREENVILLE, S.C. - George Mason finished the Paladin Invitational with losses to Winthrop, West Georgia, and Seton Hall, bringing their overall record to 5-9.
West Georgia vs. George Mason, L 6-3
George Mason (5-7) faced West Georgia (7-14) in the first game of Saturday, February 28, falling 6-3. The Patriots' offense was limited to three total runs on three hits. Logan Pickford provided an early lead with her solo home run to right center in the first inning, putting George Mason ahead 1-0.
In the fourth inning, Jessica Chan, pinch running for Kaleigh Friend, scored on a sacrifice fly by Madeline Staats, extending the lead to 2-0. However, West Georgia tied the game in the fifth inning with two runs. West Georgia took control in the eighth inning, scoring four runs to take a 6-2 lead. George Mason managed a response, with Tess Altevers Harris scoring on a sacrifice fly by Meghan Gray, concluding the game at 6-3.
Abbey Lane pitched 5.1 innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs. Alyssa Rangel was charged with the loss after coming in relief to pitch 2.2 innings. Rangel allowed three earned runs on three hits.
Winthrop vs. George Mason, L 10-7
George Mason (5-8) fell 10-7 to Winthrop (9-10) at Pepsi Stadium to end the second day of the Paladin Invitational. The Patriots achieved a season-high of 11 hits, five doubles, and two home runs but were unable to overcome Winthrop's consistent scoring, which included four runs in the second inning.
Logan Pickford opened the scoring for George Mason with a solo home run to left center in the first inning. Tess Altevers Harris walked and stole second, setting up Maddie Lemasters to double and drive Altevers Harris home. Madeline Staats then singled up the middle, allowing Lemasters to score, giving George Mason a 3-2 lead at the end of the first inning.
In the second inning, Altevers Harris doubled to left field, driving in two runs as both Pickford and Jessica Chan crossed the plate. However, Winthrop responded with four runs, shifting the lead to 6-5 by the end of the second inning. Pickford added another home run in the fourth inning with a shot to left center, followed by Altevers Harris's single and Lemasters's double, yet Winthrop extended its lead to 8-7 by the end of the fourth inning. Winthrop scored in the fifth and sixth innings, concluding the game at 10-7.
Harlowe Nigh started the game, pitching 1.2 innings and allowing six runs on six hits. Nigh records her first loss of the season. Bri Lencz pitched a season-high 5.1 innings in relief, giving up seven hits and four runs, though only two were earned.
Seton Hall vs. George Mason, L 6-13
In the final game of the Paladin Invitational for the Patriots, George Mason (5-9) fell to Seton Hall University (6-7) with a final score of 6-13. The Patriots started strong, scoring four runs in the first inning. Logan Pickford walked and stole second, leading to Kamryn Inman's double that drove in two runs. Alyssa Hopkins followed with a single, bringing in two more runs, giving George Mason an early 4-0 lead.
Seton Hall responded in the second inning with a four-run surge, capped by a grand slam from Perez, tying the game at 4-4. The third inning saw Seton Hall pull ahead, and despite a valiant effort from George Mason, which included another two runs in the fifth inning, Seton Hall extended their lead to 6-13.
Four different pitchers entered the circle for the Patriots, with starter Abbey Lane tagged with the loss
George Mason returns to the GMU Softball Complex on Wednesday, March 4, to host Georgetown in a doubleheader, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. and game two scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
