Former Cranford Player Chooses College Over MLB

Although they negotiated "pretty hard," the Texas Rangers struck out winning Cranford High grad Ryan Williamson, who chose to play ball in college this year rather than for a professional team.

Williamson, who's now a freshman pitcher at North Carolina State University, told NJ.com that the decision wasn't easy as the Rangers had made an offer that included a bonus signing and college tuition.

He's moved from playing for one of the top teams in the state -- last year Cranford won its second straight Group III title and third in four years -- to a national team that finished fifth in the College World Series last year.