Greenville, S.C. – Freshman
Kristyn Embler tossed a complete-game, two-hit shutout to lead Furman softball to a 3-0 victory over George Mason on the opening day of the Paladin Invitational Friday evening at Pepsi Stadium.
After surrendering a leadoff double, Embler held the Patriots without a base hit until Madi Sobota reached safely on a two-out single in the top of the sixth inning. With the tying run at the plate, the Harrisburg, N.C., native got Alyssa Hopkins to pop out to second baseman
Ansley Chiang to end the threat. Embler (2-5) retired George Mason (5-6) in order in the seventh, including a game-ending strikeout of Meghan Gray, to earn her first career win. She recorded five strikeouts while allowing two walks.
Furman (2-15) plated the only run it would need in the bottom of the first inning.
Eden Frederick reached on a leadoff single and scored from first on
AB Cipalla's double down the left field line. Sophomore
Rachel Hawkins provided two insurance runs in the fourth inning by following
Sylvia Burroughs' single with a two-run clout over the left field fence to up the Paladins' cushion to 3-0.
Frederick and Burroughs each collected two hits in the Furman victory.
George Mason's Alyssa Rangel (1-2) absorbed the loss after allowing three Furman runs on eight hits over four innings of work. She walked one batter and struck out five.
The Paladin Invitational continues Saturday with Furman taking on Seton Hall at 9 a.m. before facing West Georgia at 11:30 a.m. Admission is free to all five games on Saturday at Pepsi Stadium.
Paladin Invitational
Friday
Seton Hall 10, West Georgia 9
Winthrop 6, West Georgia 1
Seton Hall 10, Winthrop 1
Furman 3, George Mason 0
Saturday
9:00 –
Furman vs. Seton Hall
11:30 –
Furman vs. West Georgia
2:00 –
Seton Hall vs. Winthrop
4:30 –
George Mason vs. West Georgia
7:00 –
George Mason vs. Winthrop
Sunday
9:30 –
Seton Hall vs. George Mason
12:00 –
Furman vs. Winthrop
* - all times eastern
Home Team Listed First
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