March 1, 2008

Mason-Cornell Box Score
Mason-Quinnipiac Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - Freshman Ashli Breau blasted a deep fly ball to center field to score the game-winning run in the George Mason softball team's home opener on Saturday, a 2-1 victory in eight innings over Cornell. In the second game, Mason had the tying run in scoring position but ultimately fell to Quinnipiac, 2-1. Both games were a part of the 2008 Patriot Classic, taking place at George Mason Field this weekend. Mason ended the day with a 1-6 record.

In the first game, sophomore Becky Anderson pitched three scoreless innings in relief to pick up the victory, while Ali Tomlinson took the loss for Cornell. In the second game, Anderson was tagged with the loss against Quinnipiac after pitching six innings and allowing two runs on four hits, while Bobcats starter Jamie Iaquinto earned the victory after six innings of work. Kristin Sheriff earned her first save of the year after tossing a scoreless seventh inning.

Against the Big Red, Mason's offense was led by senior Kristin Dickel, who was 2-for-3 including the Patriots' first home run of the season, a blast to right center field. Junior Sarah Martin and senior Lesley Hassen picked up the Patriots' other two hits against Cornell.

In the game-deciding eighth inning, freshman Kara Weiner began the frame on second base according to international tiebreaker rules. Junior Ali Bryan completed a successful sacrifice bunt to move Weiner to third, and Breau's sacrifice fly allowed Weiner to score and put the finishing touches on Mason's first win of the year. It was the third extra-inning contest Mason has played already in the young season.

Following a short break, Mason took to the field again to face the Bobcats. The Patriots, designated as the visiting team, were led by a two-hit game from sophomore Ciera Jones, while Breau continued her big day with a pinch-hit double to knot the game at one in the top of the sixth inning. However, QU answered back in the bottom half of the frame, as Christine Bourdeau led off with a triple to right field and scored on a wild pitch.

The seventh inning saw a two-out double by Jones put the tying run in scoring position. A Dickel walk put two runners on, but Jones was called out at third on a fielder's choice to end the game.

Mason will be back in action tomorrow when the Patriot Classic continues. The Patriots will face Cornell at 11 a.m., then square off against Princeton at 3 p.m. in the tournament's final game.