FAIRFAX, Va. — George Mason (26-21, 10-10 A-10) faced conference-leading Loyola Chicago (24-20, 16-4 A-10) in a day of mixed results at the GMU Softball Complex on Saturday, April 25. The Patriots secured a decisive 10-4 victory in the first game, highlighted by a pivotal six-run fifth inning, but fell short in the second game, losing 3-1.
Prior to Saturday's doubleheader, George Mason softball honored the team's six graduating players for Senior Day: Tess Altevers Harris, Harlowe Nigh, Kamryn Inman, Logan Pickford, Elyssa DeRosa, and Kaleigh Friend.
GAME ONE: George Mason 10, Loyola Chicago 4
In the first game, George Mason opened strong, with Maddie Lemasters singling and Abbey Lane following with a double to drive her in, putting the Patriots ahead 2-0. In the third inning, Elyssa DeRosa walked and advanced to second on a throwing error. She later scored on a single by Lemasters, extending the lead to 3-0.
Loyola responded in the fourth with a two-run homer by Abbie Gregus, closing the gap to 3-2. However, the Patriots erupted in the fifth inning, with pinch runner Madeline Staats scoring on a single by Lemasters. Senior Logan Pickford then hit the first grand slam of the season for the Patriots, bringing in Kamryn Inman, Lane, and Payton Auerbach, widening the lead to 9-3. Alyssa Hopkins scored on a single by Lane in the sixth inning, bringing the score to 10-4 after the Ramblers added one more run in the top half. The seventh inning concluded scoreless, sealing the Green & Gold's victory.
Abbey Lane pitched a complete game, allowing four earned runs on seven hits, with three strikeouts and two walks over 113 pitches. Lane's impressive two-way performance also included scoring a season-high two runs and recording three RBIs. Logan Pickford drove in four runs, while Maddie Lemasters had a season-high three hits, scoring twice and adding two RBIs. Alyssa Hopkins contributed three hits, including a double, and scored one run.
GAME TWO: George Mason 1, Loyola Chicago 4
In the second game, George Mason struggled to maintain their momentum, falling 1-3. Loyola took an early lead in the first inning with two runs, as Liz Sedakis singled to left center, bringing in Averi Vander Woude and Nat Lesnicki. They added another run in the second inning as Kayci Rigby scored during a double play, increasing the Ramblers' lead to 3-0.
The Patriots got on the board in the fourth inning with a solo home run from Alyssa Hopkins, narrowing the gap to 3-1. This marked her third consecutive game with at least two hits, showcasing the freshman's consistency at the plate. Despite efforts in the later innings, the Patriots could not add more runs, concluding the game with a final score of 3-1 in favor of Loyola Chicago.
Bri Lencz pitched 6.2 innings, allowing 10 hits and three runs, while striking out one and walking two. Lencz's record moved to 8-4. Alyssa Hopkins batted in the sole run for the Patriots with her second career home run, while Elyssa DeRosa and Kaleigh Friend each contributed two hits to the offensive effort.
The Patriots will host Loyola Chicago again on Sunday, April 26, at noon at the George Mason Softball Complex to decide the series. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available online.
