FAIRFAX, Va. - Head Coach Joe Verbanic and his staff have officially announced the signing of three softball commitments that will enroll at Mason for the 2012 fall semester and compete in the 2013 season. 

The class includes Christina Gabriele, a pitcher/hitter from Pinecrest, Florida who attends Gulliver Preparatory School,   Sarah Kleinfelter a native of Warrenton, Virginia who who currently pitches for Fauquier High School and Casey Price, an outfielder from Lee-Davis High School in Mechanicsville, Virginia.

Gabriele, who is also a member of the Miami Stingrays Gold club team, was named to the Miami Herald All-Dade County 4A-1A Team and was also the Florida Dairy Farmers 3A State Player of the Year.  "Christina has proven that she loves the big stage both in the circle and at the plate," said Verbanic.  "She has won her Florida State Championship with Gulliver, finished in the top 5 at Nationals and most importantly, was also able to excel in the classroom at a rigorous academic school." 

In 2011, Gabriele was named South Florida Pitcher of the Year as well as a MaxPrep Junior All-American after compiling a 21-2 record with 151 strikeouts and a 0.93 ERA. Gabriele is currently is Gulliver's all-time wins and win percentage leader and is 41-2 throughout her high school career.  "We are very excited that Christina will bring a background of success and work ethic to Mason Softball and we expect her to have an immediate impact," concluded Verbanic.

The second pitching commitment came from Kleinfelter, a 2011 AA Evergreen District First Team Selection. Last season, Kleinfelter was also named the 2011 Pitcher of the Year in the AA Evergreen District and was a 2011 Region II Second Team selection. 

"Sarah has been instrumental to the recent success of both her high school and club team, the Virginia Crushers 18U," said Verbanic.  "She has been able to consistently deliver and we believe Sarah will have even greater success with us here at Mason.  We are really looking forward to having her in our program."

Price, a native of Mechanicsville, Virginia, plays club ball for the Dixie Chicks (Va.) and is the lone non-pitching commitment so far for the Patriots.  She was a key member of her AAA State Championship high school team last year.  She was a 2011 Capital District First Team Selection, a Central Region First Team selection and a AAA VHSL First Team All-State selection.

"Casey has terrorized pitchers all through Virginia the last few years and has always played a great centerfield," reflected Verbanic.  "Her athleticism on the field is the first thing to get your attention, she can really run down fly balls in the outfield but she also has a great swing and really knows how to play game."