May 26, 2004

FAIRFAX, Va.--George Mason University's head softball coach Beth Fulcher has announced that two student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the 2004-05 Patriot softball team.

The signees include Amber Straube (P; Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne) and Arielle Weinkofsky (P; Dakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township).

"We are very excited to add both Amber and Arielle to Mason's softball program," said Fulcher. "Both should compete for playing time their first season. We are going to be very young on the mound, but very talented."

Amber Straube; Pitcher

Played four years at Princess Anne...earned Virginia Gatorade softball player of the year senior season...will see action in the VHSCA all-star game in 2004...earned first team all-region accolades junior year, as well as senior season and was named pitcher of the year both times...garnered first team all-state honors in 2002, as well as 2003 and was pitcher of the year for the consecutive years...first team all-beach district 2001-03...earned first team all-tidewater honors freshman through junior seasons and was 2002 player of the year...first team All-South region (2003)...third team All-American junior year...Princess Anne spring athlete of the year (2003)...plays summer softball for Virginia Legends.

Arielle Weinkofsky; Pitcher

Four year letterwinner at Ocean Township in softball...heading into senior season, had an ERA of 0.78, struckout 592 batters, walked 95 and compiled a batting average of .322...earned first team all-shore honors in 2002 and 2003...named to first team all-county honors sophomore and junior seasons...earned all-conference coaches team accolades 2001-03...plays summer softball for RKE jaxx.

Straube and Weinkofsky join an incoming freshman class which already consists of Amanda Bach (SS; Chesapeake, VA/Hickory), Kristin Dickel (1B; North Wales, PA/North Penn) and Lesley Hassen (C; Virginia Beach, VA/Kempsville).