FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason softball (8-10, 2-1 A-10) earned a 5-1 victory over Fordham (6-11, 1-2) at the GMU Softball Complex on Sunday, March 8. With the win, the Patriots take the series from the Rams after splitting Saturday's doubleheader.

Notably, Fordham was voted the favorite in the 2026 Atlantic 10 Softball Preseason Poll by the league's nine head coaches, earning 75 points and five first-place votes. George Mason was picked seventh with 34 points. Before the weekend's games, Fordham had dominated the all-time series between the two teams with a 21-6 record. The Patriots broke a five-game losing streak against the Rams with their win in game one.

The scoring began in the third inning, with Fordham striking first. The Rams capitalized on a fielding error by the Patriots and Kate McGuire plated Fordham's sole run with a double. The Patriots got on the board when Maddie Lemasters hit a double to left-center, bringing in Tess Altevers Harris and Logan Pickford. Kaleigh Friend followed with a single, allowing Lemasters to score and giving George Mason the lead, 3-1, to end the inning.

In the fourth inning, Kamryn Inman scored when Logan Pickford singled through the left side, extending the lead to 4-1.

The fifth inning saw Inman scoring again after being walked, stealing second, and then advancing home on a walk drawn by Alyssa Hopkins, sealing the game at 5-1.

The Green & Gold's defense held strong, preventing the Rams from scoring beyond their early run. Abbey Lane delivered a complete game performance and allowing just one unearned run. She surrendered seven hits, but effectively controlled the damage, walking only one batter and striking out three. Lane threw 97 pitches and recorded a WHIP of 1.14. She also contributed five assists.

QUICK HITS

• Elyssa DeRosa made her first start of the year, recording her first at-bat and hit of the season during this game.
• Kaleigh Friend continues her hot streak, boasting a .500 batting average and recording 2 hits in 3 of the last four games.

George Mason returns to action at the GMU Softball Complex, closing out their six-game homestand with a doubleheader against UMASS Lowell on Wednesday, March 11. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM, with the second game set for 2:30 PM.