June 9, 2010
George Mason senior shortstop Ryan Soares had a fabulous day. In the morning, he was named one of 10 semifinalist for the Wallace Award, given to the nation's top shortstop. In the afternoon, he was selected in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by Detroit in the 36th round. He also was named third-team All-American by Ping!Baseball. Another Patriot also got some good news as Anthony Montefusco was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American.
Soares is currently first in the nation in doubles per game and sacrifice flies, fourth in RBI per game and seventh in slugging percentage and batting average. He was named a Louisville Slugger First-Team All-American last week and he was selected the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year back in late May. This is the seventh-straight season a Mason player has been selected in the draft and the 10th straight season a Mason player has signed to play professional baseball. Soares hit .438 (a school record) with 29 doubles (a CAA record), 13 homers, 71 RBI and 57 runs scored while slugging .808.
Montefusco, who was named the CAA Rookie of the Year last month, was one of five multiple position athletes chosen to the team. He pitched in relief for Mason while also playing first base and designated hitter. In 16 appearances, he was 3-1 with a 1.17 ERA and four saves in 30 and two-third innings of work. He allowed just 20 hits for a .194 opponent's batting average and he struck out 25 while walking just three. He set school record for lowest ERA and lowest opponent's batting average. As a position player, he hit .317 with a homer, 13 RBI and 16 runs scored.
