FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason softball welcomes six newcomers to the 2027 roster, head coach Justin Walker announced Wednesday.

Five freshmen and one transfer will join 12 returning players from the Patriots' 2026 team.

"We're excited to add this group to Mason Softball. They bring energy, competitiveness, and a team-first mindset. More importantly, they fit who we want to be as a program. We believe this class can make an immediate impact and help us continue to raise the standard of Mason Softball," head coach Justin Walker said.

The George Mason softball team recorded a 26-25 overall record in 2026, its second-most wins since 2004, trailing only the 2023 Atlantic 10 Championship team. The Green & Gold finished 10-14 in Atlantic 10 Conference play.

The Patriots are excited to welcome the following players to Fairfax:

Kristina Kennedy 

• Freshman outfielder from Clayton, N.C. 

• Four-time softball letterwinner and one-time basketball letterwinner at Cape Fear Christian Academy 

• Four-time All-State honoree; three-time Offensive Player of the Year; team MVP; all-time school career hits leader; NCISAA State runner-up and two-time NCISAA State Champion 

• Recorded 123 hits, 43 extra-base hits, 44 walks, a .508 batting average and a 1.354 OPS in 84 games 

• Played club softball for Stars Fold McGowan/Bigham 18U under Nicole McGowan 

• Club team posted an 18-7-1 record; hit .365 with a .484 OBP and .927 OPS 

Grace Marshall 

• Freshman outfielder from Oakton, Va. 

• Varsity softball letterwinner at James Madison High School 

• Athletic Honor Roll; All-Region and All-District honoree as a junior; All-District honoree as a senior 

• Played club softball for Fury Platinum National Posten under Tammy Posten 

• Helped club team finish fourth at the Alliance Fastpitch Open Nationals (AFON) 

Sam Patterson 

• Freshman pitcher from Virginia Beach, Va. 

• Four-year softball letterwinner at Ocean Lakes High School 

• Recorded 101 innings and 140 strikeouts as a freshman; 89.2 innings and 131 strikeouts as a sophomore; 125 innings, 247 strikeouts and a 1.508 ERA as a junior; 145 innings, 304 strikeouts and a 1.11 ERA as a senior

• Batted .333 as a sophomore, .429 as a junior, and .494 with a .783 slugging percentage as a senior

• Named Rookie of the Year as a freshman 

• Named MVP and team captain, Second Team All-Region and Second Team All-Tidewater as a sophomore 

• Named MVP and team captain, First Team All-Region, Second Team All-State, and First Team All-Tidewater as a junior 

• Named MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Region, Region 5A Player of the Year, First Team All-State, and First Team All-Tidewater as a senior 

• Played club softball for Orion Hunter Elite Kellogg/Miller under JB Miller 

• In 2026, hit .475 with 86 strikeouts in 48.2 innings over 23 games 

Kyleigh Pawlak 

• Freshman infielder from Aledo, Texas 

• Softball letterwinner at Aledo High School 

• Batted .468; named Defensive MVP and earned All-Academic honors 

• Played club softball for Epic James under Jo James 

Riley Reynolds 

• Freshman utility player from Chesapeake, Va. 

• Varsity softball and indoor track letterwinner at Hickory High School 

• 2023 5A First Team All-Region and Second Team All-State honoree

• 2025 5A First Team All-Region and Second Team All-Region honoree

• Played club softball for NC Challengers Premier Renzi 18U under Adam Renzi 

Bailey Snowberger 

• Incoming redshirt sophomore from North Huntingdon, Pa. 

• Transfer from the University of Maine 

• Did not play in 2026 

• Started all 49 games at shortstop in 2025, earning America East All-Rookie Team honors 

• Hit .263 with 35 hits, including eight doubles and one home run; recorded 10 multi-hit games and three multi-RBI games 

• Reached base safely in 11 consecutive games 

• Named Comeback Athlete of the Year at Maine in 2025 

• Four-year softball letterwinner and three-year team captain at North Huntingdon High School 

• 2024 WPIAL softball runner-up; Two-time First Team All-State shortstop; Three-time First Team WPIAL 6A shortstop 

• Played club softball for Team Pennsylvania