BRAKETTES START SEASON 11-0; NEW PLAYERS, PITCHING DEPTH REASON FOR OPTIMISM IN 2002
The Stratford Brakettes opened their 56th consecutive season of play with 11 straight wins through June 16. The team has eight more playing dates before it travels to Topton, PA, for the annual July 4th tournament.
The early success has been a combined effort of strong pitching, solid hitting and a roster loaded with talent.
The pitching of Kaci Clark (5-O) and Danielle Henderson (3-0), who have combined for five straight no-hitters, have led the Brakettes to their fast start. Robyn King, Jen Smith and Alicia Smith all have a victory as the team owns eight shutout wins. Clark has fanned 72 batters in 32 innings and Henderson 28 in 17 innings of work.
Pacing the offense has been 2001 batting champion Germaine Fairchild with a .545 average with a team high 14 RBI and 13 runs scored. She also has seven extra base hits.
Manager John Stratton's ballclub is loaded with pitching prowess and the addition of several new players has area fans buzzing with anticipation. Among the most recent position players added to the club are infielders Michelle Gates (.371, 11 RBI) of Chowchilla, CA, and Karrie Rider (.393) of Vancouver, WA. Both played in college for Kathy Arendsen at Mississippi State and they later honed their skills in the Women's Professional Softball League with the Ohio Pride.
Cat Osterman, the Big-12 Pitcher and Freshmen of the Year at Texas, and Florida Atlantic All-America Nikki Myers will join the Brakettes in time for the Topton tournament, thus giving Stratton a full complement of players. Myers will see action on the mound and in the outfield. Kellie Wilkerson, who made her season debut in a sweep over Kars Aces of Canada on June 15, went 5-for-7 with two doubles, a home run and three RBI.
Stratton's infield is solid with Keri McCallum (.261), Fairchild, Sara Jewett (.481, 2 home runs) and Jen Fisher (.500) all experienced catchers. Wilkerson, King and Frankie Spruce (.500) have shared time at first base with Erica Sobel (.500) and Rider at second. Lea Mishlan (.429) returns at shortstop with Gates and Spruce alternating at third base.
Outfielders include Jen Smith (.344, 11 RBI, 11 runs scored), Alicia Smith (.421), Jewett, Donna McLean (.300), Fairchild and McCallum.
Outfielder Donna McLean Announces Plan to Retire After the 2002 Campaign
The 2002 season will be the 10th and final one for Donna McLean, who has announced her decision to call it a career after the Women’s ASA National Tournament in August.
Donna began the season ranked among career leaders in many categories. She is 13th in games played (483), 14th in hits (392), 16th in runs scored (220), 15th in doubles (44) and 11th in triples (29).
The veteran of the team, McLean hit .281 last year as she appeared in 54 games. She continues to rank among the best right fielders in the game. Once again she led the outfielders in assists and fielding percentage.
A former team batting champ, winning the award in 1996 with a .414 average, Donna earned second team All-America honors in the 2000 National tourney in Clearwater.
During her first tour of duty with the Brakettes, from 1987-89, she set the team makr with 10 RBI in a game when she also hit for cycle on June 28, 1987. She is a native of Westfield, MA, and a former collegiate standout at Westfield State.
"While we will miss her after this year, I’m certain she will have an outstanding season and play a big role in our success," said Manager John Stratton.
BOOSTER CLUB PICNIC SET JULY 10
The annual Stratford Brakettes/Connecticut Classics booster club picnic will take place on Wednesday, July 10 at DeLuca Field. All Booster Club members are invited free to the cookout, which begins at 4:30 p.m.
All Brakettes and Classics players will be in attendance. The teams will meet in a doubleheader at 7 p.m. Gates to the field will not open for fans until 6 p.m.
BRAKETTES SCHOLARSHIP
Senior first baseman Nichole Carrafiello of Stratford High School was the recipient of the fourth annual Stratford Brakettes Scholarship Award.
The scholarship is presented to a senior member of the Stratford High School softball team.
Ms. Carrafiello was a four-year starter on the SHS softball team. She also lettered in volleyball and basketball.
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BRAKETTES SALUTE STRATFORD’S HEROES
- POLICEMEN, FIREMEN AND EMS IN 2002
The Stratford Brakettes have dedicated their 2002 season to the town’s true heroes, the men and women of the Polic Department, Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service. "We have extended an invitation to every Stratford policeman, fireman and emergency medical technician and their families to be our guests at every home game during the regular season," said David Carpenter, sponsor of the Brakettes and Connecticut Classics.
The offer also includes all home games by the Classics.
"The Brakettes have called Stratford home since 1947 and they have won many championships and earned the nickname as ‘America’s Team.’ But those accomplishments pale in comparison to these fine men and women who put their lives on the line every day to make this a safer and better place to live. They perform their tasks professionally and without fanfare. In our small way, we wanted to thank them for everything," said Brakettes General Manager Bob Baird.
The color front cover of the 2002 Stratford Brakettes official program features members of the town’s police, fire and emergency medical service along with four Brakettes.
Four Brakettes Competed for berths at USA Softball Training Camp
Four members of the Brakettes were in Chula Vista, CA, May 30-June 3, vying for berths on teams that will represent the United States in international competition this summer.
Pitchers Cat Osterman, Danielle Henderson and Nikki Myers and utility player Kellie Wilkerson were among 60 players invited to the tryouts.
Wilkerson and Osterman were selected to the USA Elite team that will play in the Canada Cup in Surrey, B.C., Canada, July 16-21.
The Elite Team also will help the USA World Championship team prepare for the international meet in Saskatoon, Canada. The ISF Women’s World Championship is July 25-August 4.
Theresa Hornick, who went 15-1 last year, is spending the summer in basic training as part of her ROTC obligation. . .Martha Covington is completing her master’s degree in order to pursue a teaching career. . . Unfortunately, it just didn’t work out for the Worcester, MA, Wildcats and ex-Brakettes coach Ralph Raymond. The inability to find a sponsor has resulted in the team folding before it ever got on the field. Those dates have already been filled for both the Brakettes and Classics. When the Hawks folded, it enabled Brakettes Manager John Stratton to add both Michelle Gates and Karrie Rider to the roster. . .If you have any odd jobs to do this summer and are looking for help, several of the Brakettes are looking for part-time work. Painting, lawn work, cleaning, etc., to name a few, are what they’re looking for. Call the Brakettes office at (203) 378-7262.
Meet The Connecticut Classics
Manager Jerry Katona has announced his roster for the 2002 Connecticut Classics. Several key players are back from last year’s ASA 23 & Under National Championship team, including All-America pick Vicki Lamb, who also won the home run title.
The Classics pitching staff features Sue Chymbor (Rhode Island), Barbara LaFogg (Massachusetts) and Liz Nadeau (Hartford). Chris Vicari (Boston College), Katie Caputi (Fairfield) and Nicole Faessler (Massachusetts) will handle the catching. Infielders include: Lisa Pepin (Seton Hall), Amber Radomski (AIC), Maggie Tieman (New Haven), Jen Piazza (Florida Atlantic), Mindi Scala (Southern Connecticut) and Lamb (Seton Hall).
Outfielders include: Kelly Rodman (Seton Hall), Kerry Harrelle (Central Connecticut), Becky Regula (UMass Lowell), Laura Sandonato (Fairfield) and Kristen Botto (UMass Lowell).
Utility players are: Marlena Kotynski (Seton Hall), Mellisa Minion-Kern (Seton Hall) and Gwen Rack (Rhode Island).
TRIVIA QUIZ ANSWER
The answers to last issue’s trivia quiz were: Danielle Henderson (Long Island Angels 1996 and Olympic Team 2000), Robyn King (Polar Crush 1995) and Kaci Clark (Decatur Lady Pride 1995).
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