FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason softball team (8-10, 2-1 A-10) will conclude its six-game homestand at the GMU Softball Complex with a midweek doubleheader against UMass Lowell (9-7, 0-0 AE) on Wednesday, March 11.
First pitch for game one is scheduled for 11 a.m., with game two set to begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the opener. Admission is free for all attendees.
Both matchups against the River Hawks will be available to watch on ESPN+ (Game 1, Game 2) and can be followed via the live stats website.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
UMass Lowell enters Wednesday's matchups on a four-game winning streak, most recently defeating George Washington, 3-2, in eight innings on Tuesday, March 10. Both teams were scoreless through seven innings before the River Hawks broke through in the eighth. George Washington responded with a home run but UMass Lowell held on to secure the victory.
The River Hawks secured the win behind an RBI from Emily Baumes and a two-RBI single by Elizabeth Neeld. Pitcher Olivia Decitise earned the victory in relief, improving her record to 6-3 on the season
Elizabeth Neeld leads the River Hawks with a .385 batting average, while Emily Baumes paces the team with 12 runs scored. Julia Rowley leads UMass Lowell with 18 hits and has tallied five doubles, one triple, and two home runs, highlighting the depth of the River Hawks' lineup. Rowley and Avery Spinello-Branch have also been active on the base paths with six stolen base attempts each, with Rowley caught once.
In the circle, Olivia DeCitise leads the River Hawks with a 2.40 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP across 46.2 innings pitched while recording 52 strikeouts. Giana LaCedra has also contributed significantly, throwing 32.2 innings with a 4.07 ERA and 22 strikeouts on the season. UMass Lowell's pitching unit holds a 3.81 ERA with three shutouts this season. The River Hawks have allowed 91 hits and 67 runs through their first 16 games.
LAST TIME OUT
The Patriots opened Atlantic 10 Conference play over the weekend with a three-game series against Fordham. George Mason shut out the Rams in the series opener, 4-0, before falling in game two, 9-2. The Patriots secured the series with a 5-1 victory in the finale.
The Green & Gold were led by sophomore pitcher Abbey Lane, who tossed two complete games in the wins over the Rams. Lane allowed zero earned runs against the conference opponent. Her impressive performance in the circle earned her the first Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Week honor of her career.
Rookie Alyssa Hopkins also had a standout weekend, recording her first career home run in game one of the series. Across the three games, Hopkins posted a .500 batting average, .571 on-base percentage, and a 1.000 slugging percentage while driving in three runs.
Kaleigh Friend currently leads the Patriots with a .500 batting average on the season and enters the midweek doubleheader on a hot streak after recording back-to-back multi-hit games. Friend went 4-for-9 in the Fordham series with a double and two RBIs.
