George Mason University’s softball team secured a 5-1 victory over Fordham on Sunday at the GMU Softball Complex, winning their Atlantic 10 series two games to one. The Patriots improved to 8-10 overall and 2-1 in conference play, while Fordham dropped to 6-11 and 1-2.
Fordham entered the season as the preseason favorite in the Atlantic 10, having received the most votes from league coaches. Before this weekend’s series, Fordham led the all-time matchup with George Mason by a wide margin, holding a record of 21 wins to six. The Patriots ended a five-game losing streak against the Rams with their win in Saturday’s first game.
In Sunday’s contest, Fordham scored first in the third inning when Kate McGuire doubled after a George Mason fielding error. The Patriots responded in their half of the inning: Maddie Lemasters hit a double that brought home Tess Altevers Harris and Logan Pickford. Kaleigh Friend then singled to score Lemasters, giving George Mason a 3-1 lead.
Kamryn Inman extended the lead in the fourth inning by scoring on a single from Pickford. Inman scored again in the fifth after being walked and stealing second base; she reached home when Alyssa Hopkins drew another walk with bases loaded.
Pitcher Abbey Lane threw a complete game for George Mason, allowing only one unearned run across seven hits while striking out three and walking just one batter. Lane finished with five assists and threw 97 pitches.
Elyssa DeRosa made her first start of the year for George Mason, recording both her first at-bat and hit of the season during this game. Kaleigh Friend continued her strong performance at bat, maintaining a .500 average with two hits in three of her last four games.
George Mason will conclude its six-game homestand on Wednesday, March 11, hosting UMASS Lowell for a doubleheader starting at noon.
