March 9, 2008

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - Senior Katlyn Winter lined an RBI double to deep left-center field with two runners on to score the game-winning run in a tense, nine-inning 5-4 victory for the George Mason softball team over Iona. The Patriots kept the offense going into the second game of the doubleheader, scoring four runs in the second inning to cruise to a 7-1 victory over the Gaels at George Mason Field. Mason improved to 4-8 after winning its third in a row, while the Gaels dropped to 2-4 on the year.

In the early game, which kicked off the George Mason Invitational after rain wiped out the first day of the tournament, Iona scored first and the two teams' engaged in a back-and-forth affair. After scoring the game's first run in the top of the first inning, Iona allowed two runs in the bottom half on back-to-back bases loaded walks. The Gaels responded with a two-spot in the second, which gave them the lead until the bottom of the third. Sophomore Ashli Breau blasted a two-run home run to left center to put Mason back ahead, 4-3. Again, Iona had a response as Lolli Mills' RBI single tied the game at four.

The score would remain the same through the duration of regulation, as neither team could pull away. Mason had two runners in scoring position in both the seventh and eighth innings, but Iona held off the Patriots until the ninth. Senior Kristin Dickel led off the frame with a single and was replaced by pinch runner Kara Weiner. The freshman moved over on a sacrifice bunt and crossed the plate on Winter's extra base hit. Freshman Whitney Bullins (1-1) picked up the victory, while Amanda Berard (1-1) was tagged with the loss.

After a short break, Mason took the field as the designated visiting team, and after a scoreless first, exploded for four runs to open up the contest. Dickel led off the second with a double, and was brought home on Breau's second round-tripper of the day, another two-run shot. Winter followed it up with a solo shot of her own, and junior Alison Bryan tripled and scored to post the Patriots' fourth run.

From there, sophomore ace Becky Anderson (4-2) took control of the game, allowing just one run on seven hits while fanning five Gaels. Iona starter Katie Jo Passero (0-1) took the loss after allowing the first three Mason runs.

Mason next hits the road for a spring break trip to Florida, as the Patriots will participate in the USF Tournament in Tampa on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by the USF Under Armour Classic in Clearwater from Thursday through Sunday.