March 22, 2008

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason and Towson softball teams both opened their 2008 Colonial Athletic Association schedule on Saturday at George Mason Field, and each team used an offensive barrage to record victories in doubleheader action. Mason (7-16, 1-1 CAA) broke open a tight 1-0 contest with sophomore Ashli Breau's grand slam in the fifth to defeat Towson (14-13, 1-1), 8-0, in the day's early game. Later on, the Tigers used an outburst of their own, topping Mason 10-1.

Sophomore Becky Anderson picked up her sixth win of the season with a six-hit complete game shutout in the early game, while Breau completed a 3-for-4 game with seven RBIs, highest among any Patriot this season. Classmate Ciera Jones also chipped in an RBI, as she was 2-for-3 at the plate.

Mason's first run of the day came off the bat of Breau, as her single through the right side of the infield scored junior Kelsey Mack from second base. Neither team would score again until, with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth, Breau sent a Johnston pitch over the left field fence for her team-leading fourth home run of the year. The Patriots ended the game in the bottom of the sixth inning, when Breau's base hit to left scored Mack and sophomore Shaniqua Steele, thus inducing a run-rule victory.

Anderson would start the second game of the twin-bill, but was lifted after allowing the Tigers' first six runs (two earned). Mason nearly escaped the third with no damage done, but Sammi DiPompo's single to right-center field broke the scoreless tie. Towson added three more runs in the inning to take a 4-0 lead. One inning later, the Tigers added two more runs on a DiPompo two-RBI single.

Mason ended the shutout possibility in the sixth inning, when Breau tacked on another RBI to her day's total with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to center field, allowing junior Alison Bryan to score. The Tigers would continue their offensive production into the seventh, though, adding a quartet of runs. Nina Navarro homered to left, while Emily Gould, Aimee Rosa, and Meaghan Clark each knocked in a run with their hits.

The two teams will contest the rubber match in the conference series Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.