1963 RAYBESTOS BRAKETTES
National ASA Champions
    


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L-R, top row- Ray Iwanicki, Bob Gann, co-sponsors of awards; Tom Ashcroft, scorer; Barbara Stawski, Millie Dixon Dubord, Bev Mulonet Danaher, Carol LaRose, Fran Spellman, Donna Lopiano, Manager Vin Devitt, Shirley Topley, Karen Hovan, Steph Tenney, Bill Simpson, general manager of Raybestos Division, Don Porter, executive secretary of ASA, Bernie Iassogna, Connecticut State Softball Commissioner
bottom row- Laura Malesh, Ann DeLuca, Marie Ottaviano, Joan Joyce, Micki Macchietto Stratton, Bertha Ragan Tickey, Edna Fraser, batgirl Ruth (Rudi) Nemergut

With the World Tournament back in Stratford for the fifth time since 1958, the 1963 Brakettes swept through six straight games to capture their fourth title.

The Brakettes defeated Nashville, TN, 1-0; Topeka, KS, 11-0; Fresno, CA, 2-0, 12 innings; Minneapolis, MN, 4-0; Whittier, CA, 5-1; and Portland OR, 1-0, in an eight inning final.

Micki Stratton sliced a shot down the left field line for an inside-the-park home run in the eighth inning to give the Brakettes their 1-0 win over the Erv Lind Florists of Portland in the championship tilt.

Joan Joyce allowed only one hit in the finale and she recorded four of the tournament wins, allowing only one earned run in 34 innings and fanning 66 hitters. Bertha Ragan picked up the other two shutout wins.

Joyce was a first-team All-America and the Most Valuable Player, while second baseman Donna Lopiano and catcher Laura Malesh also garnered first-team honors. Shortstop Beverly Danaher, outfielder Micki Stratton and pitcher Bertha Ragan were second team selections.

The Brakettes, who also won the Eastern Girls Softball League title, finished their finest campaign at 56-2.