FAIRFAX, Va. — George Mason softball (16-17, 4-8 A-10) secured a decisive 6-0 victory over the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (9-24, 1-8 MEAC) at the GMU Softball Complex. The Patriots' pitching staff allowed just one hit while recording 12 strikeouts across seven innings, leading to the shutout win.

The Patriots earned the dominant victory against the Hawks with strong offensive and pitching performances. In the fourth inning, Alyssa Hopkins doubled to left field before advancing to third base on a sacrifice bunt. Meghan Gray brought Hopkins home with a sacrifice fly, giving the Green & Gold a 1-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, Madi Sobota tripled to right center and scored on a sacrifice fly by Payton Auerbach, extending the lead to 2-0.

The Patriots' offense erupted in the sixth inning, starting with Hopkins' single to left center. Pinch runner Kaitlyn Bronowicz advanced to third on a double by Madeline Staats and scored on a single by Gray. Kamryn Inman added a sacrifice fly to score Staats, and Sobota's single brought home Gray. Jessica Chan capped the inning with a single that allowed Sobota to score, pushing the lead to 6-0.

The game concluded with the Green & Gold's pitching staff limiting the Hawks to no runs, securing the win with a final score of 6-0. George Mason now has a 6-2 record in the all-time series versus UMES.

Freshman Bri Lencz delivered a standout performance, achieving a career-high total of eight strikeouts while pitching 5.0 innings without allowing an earned run, conceding only one hit. She maintained a WHIP of 0.40, demonstrating effective control with just one walk and one hit batter over her 76 pitches, 49 of which were strikes. Lencz improves her record to 4-2. Alyssa Rangel contributed 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, also not allowing any hits, while striking out four batters and earning her fourth save of the season. Together, Lencz and Rangel combined for a shutout, allowing just four baserunners across 7 innings.

Alyssa Hopkins scored one run and collected two hits, including a double, in her performance. Meghan Gray's outing contributed season-highs across the board with two hits, two RBIs, and two stolen bases. Madi Sobota added two runs and two hits, featuring a triple, to her stat line.

The Patriots return to the road to face St. Bonaventure in a three-game Atlantic 10 Conference series at Joyce Field in Olean, N.Y. The series begins with a doubleheader on Friday, April 3 at 12 p.m., followed by a single game on Saturday, April 4 at noon as well.