Jan. 3, 2008
FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason head softball coach Joe Verbanic announced today that two student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Patriots in the 2009 season. The two signees are Miranda Cranford, a pitcher/first baseman from Escondido High School in Escondido, Calif., and Tori Dudley, a shortstop/center fielder who hails from Tahoma High School in Maple Valley, Wash.
"We are very excited about the signings of Miranda and Tori," Verbanic said. "They are two great kids who will contribute to our team immediately. The best part about both these young ladies is we are getting athletes that are not just good players but very good people."
Named captain of the Cougars this season, Cranford is a versatile player who has competed at the highest level with her club teams, the San Diego Powersurge Gold and California Desperados Gold squads. She was also picked up as a pitcher/first baseman for the California Rage Gold team that finished undefeated at the AFA Nationals in Texas. She also was a member of Escondido's varsity tennis team.
"In the signing of Miranda we are getting a multi-talented player. She is probably most accomplished and recognized as a hitter with game changing ability and power," Verbanic explained. "As a pitcher, though, I think she is just coming of age. I look at what she did as a pickup player at the AFA Nationals. She used her arm and her bat to help lead that team to a strong finish and it can't help but excite you."
Dudley is a four-year letterwinner at Tahoma, and has earned all league and MVP honors throughout her career. A member of the Washington Acers 18u Gold club team for four years, she is a National Honor Society member and honor roll student who has lettered in volleyball.
"Tori is not only a great athlete and talented softball player but an outstanding student and person as well," said Verbanic. "With her athleticism she can play in the middle infield or the outfield for us. Tori has a great attitude and outlook on life that is infectious, and she will bring great leadership skills and a competitive fire to our program from a strong travel ball background."
Mason opens up its 2008 season on February 22 when it travels to Orlando to participate in the University of Central Florida Tournament, where it will face the host Golden Knights along with Michigan, Auburn, Drake, and Birmingham Southern.
