University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
George Mason
UMass Drops Two At George Mason Saturday Afternoon
March 21, 2015 | Softball
FAIRFAX, Va. - The Massachusetts softball team was unable to overcome some big offensive struggles on Saturday, dropping its first two Atlantic 10 Conference games of the year in a doubleheader sweep to George Mason at the GMU Softball Complex.
UMass (4-12, 0-2 A-10) outhit the home team 7-to-2 but was hitless in nine chances with runners in scoring position in the first game, and was held to a a season-low one hit in the second contest.
Quianna Diaz-Patterson had a pair of hits in the first game, but was held without a base-knock in the second, snapping her hitting streak at a career-high 15 games. That was the longest for a Minutewomen player in six seasons, dating back to 2009 when Carly Normandin compiled a 22-game streak.
GMU (6-13, 2-0) extended has now won three of four this week and is 4-2 at home this season.
The teams will conclude their series on Sunday at Noon at the GMU Softball Complex.
Game 1 - GMU 5, UMass 0
The Patriots pushed two unearned runs across in the second inning after benefitting from four walks and a fielder's choice to open the inning. GMU had a runner called out for leaving second base early and cut down a runner at home on a bases loaded play at the plate to get two outs. But a misplay at first base allowed McKenzie Jones and Christina Gabrielle to score.
GMU pushed three across an inning later after three walks loaded the bases. A single to left by Liz Seymour and two fielder's choices was enough to complete the scoring in the game.
UMass had five runners in scoring position over four of the last five innings but was never able to crack the scoreboard. GMU won the first game 5-0 and the second 7-1.
Diaz-Patterson, Lindsey Zenk and Anna Kelley all collected two hits each to lead the UMass offense.
Caroline Raymond (2-7) held Mason to just two hits but tied her season high of seven walks.
Game 2 - GMU 7, UMass 1
For as much trouble as the Patriots offense had in the first game, the top of the lineup powered the team in game two. The top six batters combined for seven of the team's nine hits and all six RBIs.
The Patriots scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first, taking advantage of two fielder's choices, a wild pitch and an infield error for a 1-0 lead.
UMass tied the game at 1-1 two innings later after collecting their only extra-base hit of the day. Anna Kelley led off with a double to left center, moved to third on a Gianna Hathaway sacrifice bunt and scored on a Diaz-Patterson sac fly.
Mason got the run back and claimed a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third. The Patriots' Brooke Blankenship made it to second when she reached on a infield error and advanced on the throw. After advancing to third on a bunt single, she scored on a sac fly off the bat of Seymour.
The Patriots added three more in the fourth and two unearned runs in the sixth to put the game out of reach.
Gabrielle (2-6) held the Minutewomen in check over the final five innings. The sac fly from Diaz-Patterson started a string of 15-consecutive outs for the Mason starter.
Meg Colleran (1-5) took the loss and allowed all seven runs - four unearned - on nine hits. She struck out one, walked two and hit a batter.
