George Washington University Athletics
GW Softball Set for Rematch with George Mason
4/10/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 10, 2012
WASHINGTON - The George Washington softball team takes a break from Atlantic 10 Conference play on Wednesday afternoon for a visit to local rival George Mason at 4 p.m.
GW (12-24) looks to keep its hot bats alive following a 3-1 weekend against A-10 opponents Temple and Saint Joseph's. The Colonials hit .348 with nine home runs in those contests, averaging 7.0 runs per game. Freshman Victoria Valos led the way, batting .643 with two home runs and five RBIs, and was named Atlantic 10 co-Rookie of the Week for her efforts. Senior Lauren Wilson hit three homers and drove in seven runs, while junior Tara Fogarty also homered twice while batting .583.
Valos, who is riding a five-game hitting streak, is batting a team-best .342 on the season and leads the Colonials in extra-base hits (15) and RBIs (20), and she ranks third in the A-10 in slugging percentage (.613). Wilson is tied for fourth in the conference with 26 runs scored, and she and junior Autumn Taylor are tied for third in the league with eight home runs. In addition, senior Amanda Zakeri has stolen 12 bases on the year, which ranks fifth in the A-10. Senior Kara Clauss (8-16) leads the Colonials on the mound with a 3.18 ERA and 81 strikeouts.
As a team, GW ranks second in the Atlantic 10 in home runs (30) and steals (45) and is fourth in doubles (43).
George Mason (10-29) has lost five in a row following a three-game sweep at the hands of James Madison last weekend. Freshman Brooke Blankenship leads the Patriots in most offensive categories, including batting average (.363), doubles (9), home runs (4) and RBIs (19), while sophomore Stephanie Maher (4-8) paces Mason on the mound with a 2.54 ERA.
GW is 5-10 all-time against George Mason, including a 5-4 loss at the 2012 season-opening Kickin' Chicken Classic at Coastal Carolina on Feb. 10. Wilson and Taylor each homered for the Colonials in that game. The teams will meet again in two weeks, as the Colonials host the Patriots at GW Softball Field on April 25 in their home finale.
Following Wednesday's contest, the Colonials will open a nine-game home stand on Friday, when they host A-10 rival Rhode Island at 3 p.m. The Colonials and Rams will meet again on Saturday at 12 p.m. before league-leading Massachusetts comes to the District for a 12 p.m. doubleheader on Sunday.
