George Mason University announced on Apr. 24 that its softball team will host Loyola Chicago in the final home series of the season at the GMU Softball Complex. The three-game Atlantic 10 Conference matchup begins with a doubleheader on Saturday, followed by a single game on Sunday. Admission is free and open to the public.
The weekend holds special significance as it marks both an important conference contest and a celebration of George Mason’s six graduating student-athletes: Tess Altevers Harris, Harlowe Nigh, Kamryn Inman, Logan Pickford, Elyssa DeRosa, and Kaleigh Friend. The university said these seniors will be recognized prior to Saturday’s games. On Sunday, trading cards featuring the senior class will be distributed while supplies last, with an autograph session scheduled after the game.
Loyola Chicago enters the series as leaders of the Atlantic 10 Conference with a record of 15-3 in league play and has swept four conference opponents this season. The Ramblers have also won all three games against Rhode Island, Saint Joseph’s, and Dayton but dropped early contests against Saint Louis and one game against St. Bonaventure.
Offensively for Loyola Chicago, Nat Lesnicki leads with a .379 batting average along with 50 hits this season. Liz Sedakis matches Lesnicki’s team-high three home runs and leads in runs batted in at 28 while batting .271. Megan Piotrowski tops run scoring for her team with 28 runs scored so far this year.
On pitching duties for Loyola Chicago are Anna Kiel (2.94 ERA), Brooke Steinhorst (3.30 ERA), Katie Geydoshek (4.30 ERA), who also leads in strikeouts at 51, and Maddy Hickey (4.95 ERA). Loyola holds a historical advantage over George Mason in their matchups—9 wins to George Mason’s five—including four victories when playing in Fairfax.
Most recently, George Mason defeated Howard by a score of 4-1 behind two solo home runs from Altevers Harris—a first multi-home run game for her—and strong pitching performances from Abbey Lane and Bri Lencz.
