George Mason University’s softball team split a doubleheader against Fordham on Saturday at the GMU Softball Complex in Fairfax, Virginia. The two games marked the start of Atlantic 10 Conference play for both teams.
In the first game, George Mason secured a 4-0 shutout win. Abbey Lane pitched a complete game, giving up four hits and striking out one batter across 74 pitches. Lane faced 26 batters and recorded her fourth victory of the season, improving to a 4-3 record.
The Patriots took an early lead in the opening inning. Logan Pickford doubled to left center, followed by Tess Altevers Harris singling through the left side and advancing Pickford to third base. Altevers Harris stole second before Kaleigh Friend’s sacrifice pop-up allowed Pickford to score. Alyssa Hopkins then singled in Altevers Harris, making it 2-0.
In the fourth inning, Alyssa Hopkins singled again and Elyssa DeRosa entered as a pinch runner, advancing to third on groundouts. Madeline Staats drove in DeRosa for her first run of the year during her season debut with the Patriots. In the sixth inning, Hopkins hit her first career home run—a solo shot—to extend George Mason’s lead to 4-0.
Hopkins finished with three hits in three at-bats, including her home run and two RBIs. Altevers Harris contributed two hits and a double along with one run scored and one stolen base; Pickford added a double and scored once.
In Game Two, Fordham responded with a 9-2 win over George Mason. The Rams quickly took control when Eva Koratsis hit a three-run homer after an error and walk put runners on base in the first inning.
George Mason got on board during the fifth inning when Payton Auerbach singled and later scored off Bri Lencz’s double—Lencz registering her first at-bats of the season as well as her first career hit, run, and RBI. Pickford doubled again to bring Lencz home, narrowing Fordham’s lead to 3-2 by end of that frame.
Fordham pulled away in the sixth inning with six runs—highlighted by Mikayla Swan tripling among other key singles—to make it 9-2.
Alyssa Rangel started for George Mason but lasted just over an inning after allowing three runs; Lencz provided four innings of relief while surrendering two more runs. Harlowe Nigh and Haleigh Dellow also pitched for George Mason during relief appearances.
The series concludes Sunday at noon at George Mason Softball Complex; fans can watch via ESPN+ or follow live stats online.
“Hopkins finished with three hits in three at-bats—including her home run—and two RBIs,” according to information from George Mason athletics staff.
