WASHINGTON, D.C. - George Mason softball (11-11, 3-2 A-10) opened a three-game series against George Washington (12-9, 3-2 A-10) at GW Softball Field on Saturday, March 14. The Patriots split the doubleheader, narrowly falling 6-5 in the opener before bouncing back with a 3-1 victory in game two.
GAME ONE: George Washington vs. George Mason, L 5-6
In the first game, the Patriots started strong with Logan Pickford singling and stealing second base, which set the stage for Tess Altevers Harris, who hit a two-run homer to right field, giving George Mason a 2-1 lead after the first inning. Payton Auerbach drove in Kamryn Inman in the second inning to extend the lead to 3-1. However, GW responded with a two-run homer by Sydney Hogue and an RBI single by Cadence Gilliland, taking a 4-3 lead.
In the fourth, GW extended their lead to 5-3 with another RBI single. However, the Patriots fought back in the fifth inning as Maddie Lemasters hit a two-run homer to tie the game at 5-5. In the bottom of the seventh, George Mason fell on a walk-off RBI single by Sydney Hogue that lifted George Washington to a 6–5 victory.
Abbey Lane started for George Mason, allowing 4 earned runs over 2.0 innings. Bri Lencz pitched in relief, giving up 2 earned runs in 4.1 innings. Lencz was charged with the loss.
GAME TWO: George Washington vs. George Mason, W 3-1
In game two, George Mason rebounded with a 3-1 victory. The Revolutionaries struck first in the first inning when Cece Smith drove in Kaylee Layfield. However, the Patriots answered in the second inning: Elyssa DeRosa was hit by a pitch and advanced on a walk drawn by Kamryn Inman. Both runners executed a double steal, and Payton Auerbach's single brought them home. Auerbach later scored on a single by Logan Pickford, putting Mason ahead 3-1.
The remainder of the game was scoreless. Haleigh Dellow, making her first start of the season, pitched 2.1 innings, allowing 1 earned run and striking out 1 batter. Alyssa Rangel followed with 4.2 innings of relief, giving up 2 hits and striking out 3.
The conference series between the Patriots softball and Revolutionaries will be decided on Sunday, March 15 at GW Softball Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. Fans can follow the action through the live stats website.
