Softball Readies for George Mason Patriot Classic

Read more about the George Mason Patriot Classic

AKRON, Ohio – After a one-week break from competition, The University of Akron softball team travels to Fairfax, Va., this weekend for four contests as part of the Patriot Classic hosted by George Mason.

The Zips (3-6) look to end a two-game losing streak when they square off against Cornell and George Mason on Saturday, at 12:15 p.m. ET and 4:30 p.m., respectively. On Sunday, UA matches up against Rider (9 a.m.) and Marist (11:15 a.m.).

The Zips last competed at the College of Charleston Cougar Classic on Feb. 17-19, posting a 6-4 win over Morehead State and losses to College of Charleston (3-0), Marshall (3-1) and Charleston Southern (7-3).

Despite the 1-3 mark at that event, the program swept last week's Mid-American Conference East Division weekly awards, with freshmen Kellie Roudabush and redshirt-freshman Brittany Maurer claiming player- and pitcher-of-the-week honors, respectively.

Roudabush starting in all four of Akron's games at the College of Charleston Cougar Classic. She accounting for five hits, three doubles, one RBI and a .727 slugging percentage in 11 at-bats. Maurer started in the circle in all four of those outings as well, managing a 1.14 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 23.2 innings of work.

Roudabush boasts a .360 season batting average, and has nine hits to go with six runs. Ahead of her offensively is junior Alissa Birkhimer (.379 batting average) and freshman Rachael Ratcliffe (.346 BA). Birkhimer has 11 hits, 10 RBI and two home runs. Ratcliffe has a team-leading three homers, along with eight hits and six RBI.

Akron's 19-person roster features seven freshmen, one redshirt-freshman and three sophomores.

Next on the schedule for Akron is a trip to Kissimmee, Fla., for eight contests in the Rebel Spring Games on March 9-12.