June 12, 2003

FAIRFAX, VA ...George Mason sophomore shortstop Stacy James (Leesburg, VA/Loudoun County) was named Player of the Year and Kim Braxton (Lynchburg, VA/Heritage) and Dianna Austin (Fairfax, VA/Robinson) joined James on the first team as the All-Virginia Division I softball team was announced today by the Virginia Sports Information Directors Association (VaSID).

James, this year's Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year and last season's CAA Rookie of the Year, was second in the conference in batting (.374), hits (70) and total bases (93). She led the league in doubles (14), stolen bases (25) and assists (137) and was third in runs scored with 36. James also ranked fifth among the conference leaders in both slugging percentage (.497) and on-base percentage (.415).

Braxton, a junior first baseman, was third in the league in RBI (36) and doubles (12) and was fourth in hits (53) and sacrifice flys (3). In the field, she paced the CAA in chances (453) and putouts (412).

Austin, a junior pitcher who was named second team All-CAA, led the Mason staff and was third in the conference in wins (12) and ERA (1.76). She held opponents to a .219 batting average, fourth-best in the league, and was sixth in the conference with 119.1 innings worked.

The Patriots went 30-22 overall this past season and finished second in the CAA with a 9-6 conference record.