How It Happened
Rhode Island (20-26, 8-15 Atlantic 10) rallied to win twice on Saturday, sweeping George Mason 6-3 and 8-3 Saturday afternoon. The two wins eliminated George Mason (26-24, 10-13 A-10) from postseason contention.
Game One Starters
George Mason
Pickford (C); DeRosa (RF); Altevers Harris (SS); Hopkins (3B); Lemasters (1B); Friend (DP); Lane (P); Inman (CF); Sobota (LF); Auerbach (2B/F)
Rhode Island
Hernandez (CF); Hanewich (LF); Bulinski (C); Fairbanks (DP); Knarr (1B); Ialongo (3B); Snyder (RF); Torres (SS); Miller (2B); Wasikoswki (P)
Game One - Rhode Island 6, George Mason 3
A four-run fifth inning sparked the way for a comeback as Rhode Island rallied for the victory.
Down 3-1, the Rams used an error and four straight singles to tie the score. Rayah Snyder opened the frame by reaching on an error. Julianne Torres and Casey Miller singled to load the bases before Hannah Hernandez drove the ball through the right side to drive in Snyder and Torres.
A lineout, walk and a fielder's choice resulted in the bases being loaded with two outs and the game still tied. Sydney Orndorff dropped a single into shallow left field, allowing Hernandez and Kylie Bulinski to scored and give URI a 5-3 lead.
Ashley Hibbard took care of the rest. She retired the side in order in the sixth and seventh innings to lock down the win.
Game Two Starters
George Mason
Pickford (C); DeRosa (RF); Altevers Harris (SS); Hopkins (3B); Lane (DP); Sobota (LF); Inman (CF); Lemasters (1B); Auerbach (2B); Lencz (P)
Rhode Island
Hernandez (CF); Hanewich (LF); Bulinski (C); Fairbanks (DP); Knarr (1B); Ialongo (3B); Snyder (RF); Torres (SS); Miller (2B); Wasikoswki (P)
Game Two - Rhode Island 8, George Mason 3
Hannah Hernandez picked a great time for her first career home run, lofting a grand slam over the right field fence to turn a tie game into a four-run lead.
With the score tied 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth,
Rayah Snyder drew a leadoff walk.
Julianne Torres singled up the middle, and
Casey Miller worked a walk to load the bases with no outs. On a 3-1 pitch, Hernandez hit a high fly to right field for a 7-3 lead. Later in the inning
Giuliana Ialongo padded the lead with a run-scoring single to drive in
Sydney Orndorff.
Inside the Box Scores
- In between games, Rhode Island seniors Kylie Bulinski, Mandi Hanewich, Hannah Hernandez, Ashley Hibbard, Casey Miller Lauren Wasikowski and Becca Zawistowski were honored on their Senior Day.
- Rhode Island won its 20th game of the season for the second time in three season just the third time in the last 14 years.
- With the victory, Rhody also surpassed its conference win total from last season, when it was 7-18 in league play.
- Ashley Hibbard (7-4) pitched her second straight complete game. She struck out nine batters and allowed three hits over 7.0 innings in Game One.
- Avery Vale-Cruz (8-9) earned the win in Game Two with 6.0 innings of relief. She allowed just one run on two hits while striking out eight batters.
- Hannah Hernandez had a grand slam, singled twice, drove in six runs and scored two times on the day.
- Hernandez had more RBI in the second game (6) than she had for the season (5) entering the game.
- Julianne Torres was 5-for-5 and scored four times on the day. singled three times and scored twice.
- Brooke Fairbanks doubled, singled and had two RBI.
- Kylie Bulinski walked twice in each game, was hit by a pitch in the second game and scored once in the opener.
- Sydney Orndorff singled, walked, scored once and had two RBI on the day.
- Rayah Snyder singled, walked twice, stole a base and scored three times in the second game.
- Casey Miller singled, walked, scored once and had one RBI in the second game.
Up Next
Rhode Island wraps up the 2026 season with a single game against George Mason Sunday at 12 p.m. The game is scheduled to stream on ESPN+.
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