|
|
Recent Hall of Fame Honors Abound
December 11, 2024- 
The 2024 Brakettes season ended in early August, but the accolades deservingly continued to roll in for five former Brakettes and a pair of current staff members this fall.
Former Brakette Kate Bowen and Brakette Staff Members Kathy and Harlan Gage were inducted into the Connecticut Scholastic & Collegiate Softball Hall of Fame on September 15th.
 Kate Bowen, who was recently named head coach at Southern CT State University after an eight-year stint as head coach at Springfield College, played for the Brakettes from 2011-13. Kate starred at Newtown High School and Manhattan College. Bowen was also a big part of three WMS Championship teams in Stratford, batting .345 in three seasons with six home runs and 104 RBI.
Kathy and Harlan Gage were inducted in the Hall of Fame's Honorary Category for their devoted work with the Brakettes and beyond. The married couple are not only proud parents and grandparents, but also a driving force in the local fastpitch softball community.
 Kathy has served as the Brakettes photographer and player liaison since 2006, while also leading the team's community outreach program. Kathy's work was pivotal in organizing the 2011 and 2016 Brakettes Reunions, and she continues to play a major role assisting Brakettes management with day-to-day operations. Harlan created and launched the Brakettes' website (www.brakettes.com) in 2001 and has served as the webmaster for the club ever since. Harlan also oversees and updates the Brakettes Archives and has run the websites for all Women's Major Softball (WMS) Tournaments since 2009.
 Former Stratford Brakettes Rachele Fico and Tatum Buckley were inducted into the Masuk High School (Monroe, CT) Athletic Hall of Fame on October 10th.
Rachele Fico played for the Stratford Brakettes from 2008-2012 and posted a nearly untouchable 94-1 record in five seasons, leading the squad to three WMS Championships and the 2012 FCI tournament title in Henderson, Nevada. Fico went undefeated against amateur teams during her time with the Brakettes, with the only loss coming in 2012 against the professional Akron Racers, who went on to select Rachele #1 overall in the 2013 National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Draft.
 Tatum Buckley posted a 28-2 record in the circle over four seasons with the Brakettes, while also starring at the plate and middle infield. Tatum posted a career .357 batting average with 16 home runs in 99 RBI from 2014-2017 and was a vital part of three WMS Championship teams in Stratford.
Former Brakettes Kathy Arendsen and Barbara Clark were both recently inducted into the USA Softball of Connecticut Hall of Fame on October 19th in Monroe.
Kathy Arendsen stands as the third-winningest pitcher in Brakettes history with a 337-26 record. Arendsen threw 79 no-hitters, 42 perfect games, and struck out 4,308 batters. Kathy was named to the ASA All-American team 13 times in her Raybestos/Hi-Ho Brakettes career (1978-1992), which included nine ASA National titles and two ISF World Championships with the franchise. Arendsen was also inducted into the National ASA Hall of Fame in 1996 and ISF (International Softball Federation) Hall of Fame in 2003.
 Barbara Clark played for the Raybestos Brakettes for nine years (1970-1978) and was part of the juggernaut that won an unprecedented eight straight ASA National Titles (1971-1978). Clark enjoyed career-best seasons in 1975 (.354 batting average) and 1977 (.357) and served as catcher for National ASA Hall of Famers Joan Joyce, Donna Lopiano, Barbara Reinalda and Kathy Arendsen during her time with the Brakettes.
|
 |
| Attendees at USA Softball Connecticut Hall of Fame dinner, Oct. 19, 2024: Front row, from left- Keri Stratton, Kathy Arendsen, inductee, John Stratton, Barbara Clark, inductee. Back row- Patti Fernandes, Kathy Elliot Krygier, Barbara Reinalda, Diane Schumacher |
|
