April 20, 2008

Box Score

NEWARK, Del. - The George Mason softball team battled through a nearly three-hour rain delay to record a series-clinching, 2-1 victory over the Delaware Blue Hens in Colonial Athletic Association action on Sunday afternoon. Mason (17-26, 6-8) earned the series win by taking the final two games of the weekend, as the Blue Hens (19-19, 4-11) could not find an answer to the Patriots' late-inning scoring.

Sophomore Becky Anderson (14-12) picked up her second win of the weekend as she held off the Blue Hens, allowing one run on seven hits in a complete game. Delaware starter Anne Marie Pagano (11-8) took the loss after giving up both Patriot runs in 5.2 innings of work.

Sophomore Ciera Jones led the Mason offense with a 2-for-3 day, while classmate Ashli Breau blasted a solo shot in the sixth inning to provide the game-winning run for Mason. Delaware was led by a 2-for-4 outing from Katie Lee.

Mason scored first on an RBI double by Jones, scoring leadoff hitter Shaniqua Steele in the top of the first inning. Delaware responded in the bottom of the second, tying the game at 1-1 on a Shanette White RBI single.

That score would last for many more hours, as rain swept into the area and forced an extensive delay in play. When the two teams resumed at 4 p.m., Breau put the Patriots ahead in the top of the sixth inning with a solo home run, her 10th of the season.

Delaware threatened to tie the game in the bottom half of the frame, as they quickly loaded the bases with no outs. However, a throw from Jones to catcher Lesley Hassen was in time at the plate to get the lead runner out. The next two Blue Hen batters popped up and struck out looking to end the inning with no damage done.

The Patriots will be back in action on Tuesday, opening up their final homestand of the 2008 season with a doubleheader at 3 p.m. against North Carolina Central.