Good morning! We thought our week was going well—then we saw that George Mason softball’s Aly Rayle followed up setting the single-season strikeout record with winning her fifth A-10 Pitcher of the Week award.

What else are we throwing into today’s Brew?

🏆 Aly Rayle wins fifth A-10 Pitcher of the Week award
🥎 A-10 Championship Tournament on deck
​⭐ And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 She’s All That. George Mason softball ace Aly Rayle was named A-10 Pitcher of the Week for the fifth time this season and for very good reason. In the last week she made two starts, went 2-0, came away with a 0.00 ERA and allowed just one hit compared to 21 strikeouts across 14.2 innings pitched. In the immortal words of Elaine Benes: “We are speechless. We are without speech.”

🔼 Fresh Prince. Not to be outdone, George Mason freshman outfielder James Quinn-Irons has been selected A-10 Rookie of the Week after going 8-for-17 (.471 / .526 / .588) with five RBIs and five runs scored in four games during the week. In the team’s 10-5 win over Fordham on Saturday, Quinn-Irons was 2-for-4 with two RBI and scored three runs—and the very next day in the series finale, he finished 4-for-5 with two RBIs and scored a run.

🔼 Tourney Time. Back in the show. George Mason softball will start their Atlantic 10 Championship Tournament campaign today for the first time since the 2018 season. The Patriots are the No. 4 seed and will face No. 5 Fordham with first pitch at 12:00pm ET.

The last time Mason competed in the A-10 Tournament was in 2018 (also a No. 4 seed) but they suffered a first day exit, losing 5-2 to No. 5 Saint Louis followed by a 4-2 loss to No. 3 Dayton. Before this season's 16 conference wins, 2018's team had recorded the most conference wins in program history.

Now that the nuts and bolts are out of the way, here’s why we’re optimistic this year won’t look anything like 2018:

• In the Atlantic 10, the Patriots were first in overall regular season stats in fielding percentage (.976), doubles (81), triples (18), and extra base hits (99).

• Haley Taormina (.350 / .417 / .611) led the conference in doubles (19). She was also second in RBI (43). Nicole Bechtel (.352 / .429 / .535) was third (38).

• Elyssa DeRosa (.347 / .472 / .592) led the conference in the triples category (7). Marlaina Bozek (.346 / .431 / .488) was seventh (3).

• Rachel Warrens (.301 / .384 / .458) led the conference in stolen bases with 31.

• Graduate pitcher Aly Rayle (15-8, 2.20 ERA, 1 SV) led the conference in overall strikeouts (203) and looking strikeouts (59). She was second in wins (15) and third in ERA (2.20)

• Three Patriots made up the top ten best batting averages in the conference: Haley Taormina, Elyssa DeRosa, and Nicole Bechtel.

• The Patriots were second in pitching ERA (2.80) and third in batting average (.285).

🤔 PATRIOT TRIVIA

First time, long time. George Mason softball has a new strikeout leader—Aly Rayle capped off her 203-strikeout season this past weekend and now sits alone at the top of the program leaderboard.

Our question today… how long had the previous single-season strikeout record for George Mason softball held?

Think you got it? Scroll on down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

⭐ ONE BIG THING

Help is on the way. George Mason women's basketball staff has announced the addition of two more freshmen to the already strong incoming class of 2023-24—Brianna Hill and Faith Okorie will join four other freshmen and one transfer on campus in Fall 2023, bringing the incoming class total to seven.

🎯 Brianna Hill is a 5’11” wing who can play at both the guard and forward positions. She comes to Fairfax after being named a 2023 McDonalds All-America nominee and was a team captain and a starter on the two-time Independent High School National Champion Example Academy.

💪 Faith Okorie is a 6'0” power forward who brings a versatile game to Fairfax. She’s also a two-time Independent High School National Champion and was one of eight players selected to the Steph Curry Underrated Tour where she was a part of the first-ever tour Championship with teammate Brianna Hill.

📬 STICK WITH US

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📅 THE DAYS AHEAD

Wednesday 5/10

🥎 Softball vs. Fordham at A-10 Championship Tournament @ 12:00pm ET on ESPN+ | Live Video

Thursday 5/11

No events scheduled

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: 23 years

Aly Rayle’s 203 strikeouts this year broke Lisa Davis’ record of 199 strikeouts from all the way back in 2000.

Have a great Wednesday, y’all.