FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason softball (13–12, 3–3 A-10) completed a non-conference doubleheader sweep of Lafayette (6–18, 0–0 PL) at the GMU Softball Complex on Tuesday, March 17, with a narrow 3–2 victory in the opening game and a decisive 9–4 win in game two.
GAME ONE: George Mason vs. Lafayette, W 3–2
George Mason led from the beginning of the first game against Lafayette and held on despite the Leopards threatening a comeback in the late innings.
The Patriots started strong in the first inning, with Elyssa DeRosa drawing a walk and Tess Altevers Harris following with a single. Maddie Lemasters then delivered a single through the right side, bringing home DeRosa and Altevers Harris. The inning concluded with a score of 2–0 in favor of the Green and Gold.
The Patriots' batting lineup saw the ball well at the plate, recording nine hits throughout the game. However, the Leopards' defense kept the game close, leaving several George Mason runners stranded on base.
In the fifth inning, DeRosa and Altevers Harris each delivered a single. With Alyssa Hopkins at the plate, the Patriots had runners on second and third. Hopkins delivered a single, allowing DeRosa to score and extending the Patriots' lead to 3–0.
Lafayette scored in the sixth inning after a throwing error, a double, and a hit by pitch loaded the bases. Another hit by pitch allowed a runner to score, bringing the score to 3–1, with the Patriots holding a narrow lead. In the seventh inning, Lafayette closed the gap further with a sacrifice fly that scored another run. However, the Green & Gold held on to secure the win, with the final score of 3–2.
Abbey Lane earned her seventh win in the circle, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing one earned run while striking out two batters. Lane faced 24 batters and threw 93 pitches, yielding three hits and two walks. Alyssa Rangel closed the game and earned her second save of the season. Rangel came in in relief in the seventh inning with two runners on base and no outs. She allowed no hits, recording a groundout, a flyout, and striking out the final batter swinging.
Lane had her best showing at the plate this season, going 2-for-2 with a single and her first triple of the year. DeRosa scored a season-high two runs and collected one hit along with a walk, contributing significantly to the Green & Gold's offensive effort. Altevers Harris added two hits and scored once, showing consistency at the plate. Lemasters recorded two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs, providing crucial run support.
GAME TWO: George Mason vs. Lafayette, W 9-4
In the second game, George Mason was propelled by a six-run third inning and home runs from Meghan Gray and Tess Altevers Harris, marking their highest-scoring game of the season with nine runs.
Lafayette took an early lead when Katie Harrington homered to left field in the second inning, bringing in two runs. Meghan Gray responded for the Green & Gold with her first collegiate home run, a solo shot to left field, making it 2–1 in favor of Lafayette at the end of the second inning.
The third inning was pivotal for the Patriots. Jessica Chan and Elyssa DeRosa both drew walks, and Logan Pickford added a single. Chan scored on a passed ball, followed by Tess Altevers Harris hitting her fourth home run of the season, a three-run shot to left-center. After reaching base with a single, Maddie Lemasters was driven home by fellow freshman Payton Auerbach's base hit. Kamryn Inman also contributed by stealing home during a rundown, capping off a six-run inning. By the end of the third inning, George Mason led 7–2.
In the fifth inning, Lafayette managed to score two runs, but the Green & Gold kept the Leopards at bay. Meghan Gray scored on a wild pitch, and Logan Pickford's sacrifice fly brought Kaitlyn Bronowicz home after she recorded her first hit of the season. The inning ended with George Mason ahead 9–4, which remained the final score as both teams were held scoreless the rest of the way.
Alyssa Rangel started for the Green & Gold and pitched four innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out four batters. She maintained a WHIP of 1.00 and did not issue any walks over her 60-pitch outing. Rangel earned her second win of the season.
George Mason is set to return to conference play on the road, facing A-10 opponent Saint Joseph's in a three-game series in Philadelphia, Pa., with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 21 starting at noon and the series finale on Sunday, March 22, also at noon.
