KINGSTON, R.I. - George Mason softball (26–22, 10–11 A-10) travels north to face Atlantic 10 Conference opponent Rhode Island (18–26, 6–15 A-10) from Saturday, May 2 through Sunday, May 3. The Patriots and Rams will meet in a three-game series featuring a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday.
The Patriots' series schedule at Rhode Island and live coverage information are listed below:
Saturday, May 2
12 p.m. vs. Rhode Island | Live Stats | Watch Live on ESPN+
2:30 p.m. vs. Rhode Island | Live Stats | Watch Live on ESPN+
Sunday, May 3
12 p.m. vs. Rhode Island | Live Stats | Watch Live on ESPN+
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Rhode Island enters the weekend following an 11–0 run-rule victory over Stonehill in six innings. The Rams are also closing out their Atlantic 10 regular season schedule. They were swept by Loyola Chicago and Saint Joseph's, took two of three from Saint Louis, and earned single wins against George Washington, Fordham, Dayton, and St. Bonaventure.
Historically, George Mason has controlled the series, holding a 17–9 all-time advantage. Last season, the Patriots won the opener 8–6 and the finale 4–0, while dropping the middle game 5-7 in 10 innings.
Offensively, Sydney Orndorff leads Rhode Island with a .354 batting average, totaling 35 hits and two triples. She is also active on the basepaths, going 12-for-14 in stolen base attempts. Close behind is Kylie Bulinski, who is hitting .352 and leads the team in runs (22), doubles (9), home runs (5), and RBIs (23).
In the circle, Rhode Island carries a team ERA of 4.37. Ashley Hibbard has been the most effective pitcher, posting a 2.79 ERA over 62.2 innings. Avery Vale-Cruz has logged a team-high 91.0 innings with a 4.38 ERA, while Brooke Gerry adds depth with a 4.43 ERA across 83.2 innings and a team-best 77 strikeouts.
Rhode Island currently sits seventh in the A-10 standings with a 6–15 conference record and has been eliminated from postseason contention. Only the top six teams from the regular season will qualify for the Atlantic 10 Championship Tournament. Loyola Chicago leads the conference at 17–4, while the next six teams are tightly grouped within two games of each other: Saint Joseph's (12–9), Saint Louis (13–10), Dayton (11–10), Fordham (11–10), George Mason (10–11), and George Washington (10–11).
LAST TIME OUT
George Mason went 1–2 against A-10 leader Loyola Chicago, becoming one of only three teams in the conference to take a game from the Ramblers this season. The Patriots opened with a 10–4 win behind a six-run fifth inning, highlighted by Logan Pickford's grand slam. They dropped game two, 3–1, despite a solo home run from Alyssa Hopkins. In Sunday's finale, Mason cut an 8–1 deficit to 8–6 with a five-run fifth, but Loyola pulled away late for a 10–6 win.
