KINGSTON, R.I. — George Mason softball (26-24, 10-13 A-10) faced Rhode Island (20-26, 8-15 A-10) in a doubleheader for their final regular season Atlantic 10 series. The Patriots dropped both games, falling to the Rams 3-6 in the opening game and 3-8 in game two of the three-game series.
GAME ONE: Rhode Island 6, George Mason 3
In game one, George Mason's offense was highlighted by three solo home runs, accounting for all of the Patriots' runs. The action commenced in the third inning with Madi Sobota launching a homer to right center for the first run, followed by Logan Pickford's homer to left center, giving George Mason a 2-1 lead after Rhode Island responded with an RBI double. Sobota added another solo home run in the fifth, but Rhode Island took control, scoring four runs in their half of the inning, including two unearned runs, putting them ahead 5-3. A final run from Rhode Island on a sacrifice fly in the sixth sealed the game at 6-3.
Abbey Lane pitched 5.0 innings, allowing six hits and five runs, with two being earned. She struck out one batter and walked two. Alyssa Rangel entered in the sixth, giving up one hit and one earned run with two walks.
GAME TWO: Rhode Island 8, George Mason 3
In game two, George Mason opened strong with two runs in the first inning: Elyssa DeRosa scored on a sacrifice fly from Abbey Lane, and Tess Altevers Harris crossed home after Kamryn Inman walked with the bases loaded, giving Mason a 2-0 lead. Rhode Island responded in the second with an unearned run, narrowing the gap to 2-1. Altevers Harris added a solo homer in the third to extend the lead to 3-1, but the Rams tied it in the fourth with two runs on a single by Hannah Hernandez. The pivotal sixth inning saw Rhode Island take control with a grand slam from Hernandez, scoring four runs, followed by another run, concluding the game at 8-3.
Bri Lencz started for the Patriots, pitching 5.0 innings with six hits and five runs allowed, four earned, while issuing five walks and striking out one. Rangel entered in relief, allowing three earned runs on one hit and two walks without recording an out. Harlowe Nigh pitched 1.0 scoreless inning, allowing one hit and one walk.
The Patriots will face the Rams again on Sunday, May 3, at noon at the URI Softball Complex for the series and regular season finale.
