George Mason Patriots softball

For all George Mason University sports, see George Mason Patriots.
George Mason Patriots softball
UniversityGeorge Mason University
Head coachJustin Walker (5th season)
ConferenceAtlantic 10
LocationFairfax, VA
Home stadiumGeorge Mason Softball Complex (Capacity: 1,550[1])
NicknamePatriots
ColorsGreen and gold[2]
   
NCAA Tournament appearances
2023
Conference Tournament championships
2023

The George Mason Patriots softball team represents George Mason University in the NCAA Division I college softball. The team participates in the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10). From 2002 until 2013, the team was a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).[3] The Patriots are currently led by head coach Justin Walker. The team plays its home games at George Mason Softball Complex located on the university's campus.[4]

History

George Mason qualified for the NCAA Division I softball tournament for the first time in 2023 after winning the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament, defeating Loyola Chicago by a score of 6-3.[5][6][7] The Patriots faced off against Duke in their first game of the tournament, losing 2-1 in a close contest.[8][9] They were eliminated from the tournament by Campbell, losing by a score of 7-1.[10][11]

Former shortstop Stacy James was named Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year in 2002, and in 2003 was named CAA Player of the Year. In 2010, James was named to the CAA's 25th Anniversary softball team.[12][13] In 2017, former pitcher Marina Vitalich was named as the Atlantic 10 Co-Pitcher of the Year, sharing the honors with Fordham pitcher Lauren Quense.[14][15]

George Mason in the NCAA Tournament

Year Record Pct Notes
2023 0–2 .000 Durham Regional
TOTALS
 0-2 .000

Coaching history

Years Coach Record %
1978–1980[16] Judy Ferrier 41–20 .672
1981[16] Penny Butler 35–10 .778
1982–1986[16] Doug Wheelbarger 160–55–1 .743
1987–1996[16] Mitch Hughes 171–244 .412
1997–2003 Beth Fulcher 183–195 .484
2004–2019 Joe Verbanic 315–498 .387
2020–present Justin Walker 81–78 .509

Roster

2024 George Mason Patriots roster
 

Pitchers

  • 29 – Jordan Anderson – Junior
  • 32 – Carly Cooper – Senior
  • 10 – Haleigh Dellow – Freshman
  • 9 – Harlowe Nigh – Sophomore
  • 39 – Jordan Tallman – Junior
  • 36 – Kylie Wilkerson – Freshman

Catchers

  • 35 – Cheyenne DeGross – Sophomore
  • 15 – Logan Pickford – Sophomore
  • 19 – Zoe Vozick – Senior
  

Outfielders

  • 33 – Sydney Bales – Senior
  • 28 – Sydney Blackwell – Junior
  • 20 – Elyssa DeRosa – Sophomore
  • 11 – Emily Lampela – Freshman
  • 6 – Charlotte Montgomery – Junior
  • 14 – Hayley Shifflett – Junior

Infielders

  • 21 – Marlaina Bozek – Senior
  • 25 – Kaleigh Friend – Freshman
  • 12 – Kamryn Inman – Sophomore
  • 23 – Maya McGowan – Sophomore
  • 24 – Maddy Myers – Graduate Student
  • 8 – Dara Jo Sharpe – Freshman
  • 27 – Rachel Warrens – Graduate Student
  
Reference:[17]

Season by season results

Statistics overview
Season Coach Overall Conference Standing Postseason
George Mason Patriots (AIAW[18]) (1978–1982)
1978 Judy Ferrier 7–3
1979 Judy Ferrier 11–9
1980 Judy Ferrier 23–8
1981 Penny Butler 35–10
1982 Doug Wheelbarger 26–12
George Mason Patriots (Independent) (1983–2001)
1983 Doug Wheelbarger 41–2
1984 Doug Wheelbarger 33–17
1985 Doug Wheelbarger 53–8
1986 Doug Wheelbarger 33–16–1
1987 Mitch Hughes 11–17
1988 Mitch Hughes 22–26
1989 Mitch Hughes 13–18
1990 Mitch Hughes 12–26
1991 Mitch Hughes 21–23
1992 Mitch Hughes 13–26
1993 Mitch Hughes 15–24
1994 Mitch Hughes 21–31
1995 Mitch Hughes 32–25
1996 Mitch Hughes 11–28
1997 Beth Fulcher 21–20
1998 Beth Fulcher 16–39
1999 Beth Fulcher 20–39
2000 Beth Fulcher 34–29
2001 Beth Fulcher 22–27
George Mason Patriots (Colonial Athletic Association) (2002–2013)
2002 Beth Fulcher 40–19 9–4 2nd
2003 Beth Fulcher 30–22 9–6 2nd
2004 Joe Verbanic 28–32 8–10 5th
2005 Joe Verbanic 22–31 6–11 T–5th
2006 Joe Verbanic 8–48 5–15 8th
2007 Joe Verbanic 19–34 5–16 8th
2008 Joe Verbanic 19–32 6–14 6th
2009 Joe Verbanic 16–33 2–16 8th
2010 Joe Verbanic 21–24 9–12 5th
2011 Joe Verbanic 19–25 8–12 T–5th
2012 Joe Verbanic 13–41 7–14 7th
2013 Joe Verbanic 18–37 6–15 6th
George Mason Patriots (Atlantic 10 Conference) (2014–present)
2014 Joe Verbanic 22–21 6–10 7th
2015 Joe Verbanic 23–29 11–12 4th
2016 Joe Verbanic 22–25 8–13 7th
2017 Joe Verbanic 23–33 12–11 6th
2018 Joe Verbanic 22–28 12–10 4th
2019 Joe Verbanic 22–25 10–12 7th
2020 Justin Walker 7–12 0–0 N/A

Season cut short due to COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 Justin Walker 19–18 9–16 7th
2022 Justin Walker 24–26 12–12 T–6th
2023 Justin Walker 35–24 16–10 4th NCAA Regionals
2024 Justin Walker 0–0 0–0
Total: 1,017–1,100–1 (.480)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

[1][3][19][20]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "GMU Softball Media Guide as of May 8 2023 (PDF)" (PDF). George Mason University Athletics.
  2. ^ George Mason University Athletics Brand Guidelines (PDF). April 25, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "22-SB Record Book (PDF) - Colonial Athletic Association (CAA Sports)" (PDF). caasports.com.
  4. ^ "Facilities". George Mason University Athletics.
  5. ^ Colbert, Austin (May 18, 2023). "Basalt graduate Zoe Vozick helps George Mason softball earn spot in NCAA regional". www.aspentimes.com.
  6. ^ Watson, Phil (May 19, 2023). "How to Watch George Mason vs Duke: Stream College Softball Live, TV Channel". How to Watch and Stream Major League & College Sports - Sports Illustrated.
  7. ^ Novak, Chris (May 13, 2023). "Softball team earns absolutely historic championship victory". The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.
  8. ^ "George Mason 1-2 Duke (May 19, 2023) Final Score". ESPN.
  9. ^ "George Mason softball finds out NCAA tournament seeding". May 15, 2023.
  10. ^ Athletics, Campbell University (May 21, 2023). "Lady Camels eliminated from NCAA Regionals". The Daily Record.
  11. ^ "George Mason 1-7 Campbell (May 20, 2023) Box Score". ESPN.
  12. ^ "Four UD softball players named All-CAA". www1.udel.edu.
  13. ^ "Stacy James Named to CAA's 25th Anniversary Softball Team". George Mason University Athletics.
  14. ^ "Senior softball pitcher Marina Vitalich discusses her unique opportunities playing softball abroad | Fourth Estate". gmufourthestate.com. October 7, 2019.
  15. ^ "Langhorne's Lauren Quense named Atlantic 10 Softball Pitcher of the Year". May 11, 2017.
  16. ^ a b c d "LUNA - Browse 4W Facets". images.gmu.edu.
  17. ^ "2024 Softball Roster". George Mason University Athletics.
  18. ^ http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/SB_Records/AIAW.pdf
  19. ^ "SOFTBALL RECORD BOOK THROUGH 2016-17 SEASON (PDF) - Atlantic 10" (PDF). static.atlantic10.com.
  20. ^ "2023 Softball Standings". atlantic10.com.