FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason softball (7-10, 1-1 A-10) and Fordham (6-10, 1-1 A-10) opened this weekend's three-game series with a doubleheader at the GMU Softball Complex on Saturday, March 7. The teams split the day's matchups. The first game saw George Mason secure a 4-0 shutout victory, while the second game ended in a 9-2 loss for the Patriots. The series marks the first Atlantic 10 Conference meeting of the season for both squads.
GAME 1: George Mason vs. Fordham, W 4-0
In the first matchup, George Mason marked the beginning of their Atlantic 10 Conference season strong with a decisive 4-0 victory over Fordham. Abbey Lane delivered a standout performance, pitching a complete game shutout, allowing only four hits and striking out one batter. She faced 26 batters overall, with an efficient outing that included 74 pitches, contributing to her impressive WHIP of 0.71. This victory was Lane's fourth of the season, improving her record to 4-3.
The Patriots started strong by scoring two runs in the first inning. Logan Pickford doubled to left center, and Tess Altevers Harris singled through the left side, advancing Pickford to third. Altevers Harris then stole second base. Kaleigh Friend's sacrifice pop-up allowed Pickford to score. Alyssa Hopkins then singled in Altevers Harris, putting George Mason ahead 2-0.
In the fourth inning, the Patriots extended their lead when Alyssa Hopkins singled and Elyssa DeRosa, running as a pinch runner, advanced to third on groundouts. Madeline Staats then drove in DeRosa, making it 3-0. This appearance marks DeRosa's season debut and first run of the year. In the sixth inning, Hopkins hit a solo homer to left field, delivering her first career home run and bringing the score to 4-0.
Overall, Alyssa Hopkins had a stellar game with three hits in three at-bats, including the home run, and two RBIs. Tess Altevers Harris added two hits and a double, scoring once and stealing a base, while Logan Pickford contributed with a double and a run scored.
GAME 2: George Mason vs. Fordham, L 2-9
In the second game of the doubleheader, George Mason fell to Fordham 9-2. The Rams took an early lead in the first inning when Eva Koratsis hit a three-run homer, capitalizing on a fielding error and a walk, leaving the Patriots trailing 3-0.
George Mason managed to get on the scoreboard in the fifth inning. Payton Auerbach singled and later scored on a double by Bri Lencz, who registered her first at-bats of the season. Logan Pickford also doubled, bringing Lencz home and cutting the lead to 3-2 by the end of the fifth inning. Lencz recorded her first career hit, run, and RBI.
However, Fordham extended its lead significantly in the sixth inning, scoring six runs, including a tripled run by Mikayla Swan and several singles, resulting in a 9-2 advantage for the Rams by the end of the inning.
Alyssa Rangel started for the Patriots, pitching 1.1 innings and allowing three runs. Lencz provided relief with a solid four-inning performance, giving up two runs. Harlowe Nigh and Haleigh Dellow also pitched in relief for the Patriots.
The Patriots will face Fordham again on Sunday, March 8 at noon at the George Mason Softball Complex for the series finale. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available online.
