NEWCOMERS ADD PITCHING, POWER TO BRAKETTES ROSTER
Manager John Stratton was on a mission during the off season. He wanted to strengthen the team's pitching and add some needed firepower to the lineup. It appears as though he has accomplished both objectives with the six new players on this year's club.
Leading the group into action will be the 2000 College Player of the Year Courtney Blades, who was picked up for last year's Nationals in Clearwater, FL. Blades was 2-1 with two saves as she garnerned first team All-America. Last year, when she led Southern Mississippi to a third place finish in the NCAA College World Series, the Hattiesburg MS native compiled a 52-7 record with 663 strikeouts in nearly 400 innings. She finished her career with 151 wins and 1,773 strikeouts, both of those marks breaking Danielle Henderson's NCAA records set in 1999. The other new pitchers are equally impressive in 6-0 Leslie Malerich of Merrillville, IN, the ace of Florida State's staff and 6-0 Theresa Hornick of Edmonds, WA, and Villanova. Entering last weekend's action, Malerich, who was 35-15 last year, stood 19-2 for the Seminoles and Hornick was 18-2 for the Wildcats.
Offensively, the Brakettes are significantly stronger with the addition of shortstop Lea Mishlan of Pearland, TX, and the University of South Florida; infielder Martha Covington of Colonial Heights, VA, and Campbell University; and catcher Sara Jewett of Haverhilll, MA, and Maine. Mishlan played in the pro league for the Tampa Bay Firestix last year and she is the all-time offensive leader in eight categories for USF. She had a .347 career average with 282 hits, 108 RBI, 53 doubles and 14 home runs. She also stole 68 bases. Covington, who also plays third and outfield, hits from the left side of the plate. She had a .429 career average with 69 doubles, 20 home runs and 157 RBI. Jewett, assistant coach at St. John's, had a banner career at Maine, finishing as the AmericaEast Player of the Year in 2000. In her 172-game career, she had 31 homers, a .370 average, 132 runs scored, 152 RBI, 37 doubles and 14 triples.
Back from the 2000 season are Jen Smith, Alicia Smith, Keri McCallum, Germaine Fairchild, Kellie Wilkerson, Robyn King, Emily Robustelli, Frankie Spruce and Donna McLean.
The Brakettes will practice on Thursday night, May 24 at 9 p.m. at DeLuca Field and Friday, May 25 at 8 p.m.
BRAKETTES LOSE A FRIEND-
JOHN "Jack" MULLER
The Brakettes and softball fans lost a true friend with the passing of Jack Muller on February 25, 2001. Jack was a long-time fan and Brakettes supporter. His brainchild and long-time dream was the Brakettes and Connecticut Halls of Fame Museum to be constructed at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field. A builder and past president of the New Haven Builders Association, Jack recently had been named to the post of Director of Special Events for the Stratford Brakettes. He had solicited the help of tradespeople to assist in building the museum. Jack put together the design and was working hard at fund raising before his death. His dream is still very much alive. Many of Jack's friends generously donated to the Museum building fund. We intend to continue fund raising to make this dream come true.
BRAKETTES BRIEFS
The Brakettes lost another long-time fan last winter with the passing of Mike Benedetto in Florida. Mike was a good friend to many of our former players and a true fan. . . Congratulations to Don Caterson, the ageless umpire-in-chief who assigns both Brakettes and Classics games. Don was inducted into the Connecticut Scholastic and Collegiate Softball Hall of Fame in March at the Aqua Turf in Southington. He was joined by former Brakette Elaine Amundsen, a scholastic standout at Jonathan Law in Milford, and Leonard Palmer of Norwalk, a booster club member and another long-time fan. Lenny was an honorary inductee. . . Both teams will be playing in the Topton July 4th tournament. They will be staying at the Allentown Days Inn & Conference Center. For reservations, call: (610) 395-3731 or (888) 395-5200. . . Outfielder Kellie Wilkerson will receive the 2000 batting trophy in pregame ceremonies opening day. Kellie hit .386 last year, the third time in four seasons that a rookie had won the crown. . . Congratulations to Keri McCallum, a recent graduate of Mississippi State, on her engagement to John Stratton, Jr. Is it a coincidence that both father and son asked catchers to marry them?. . . Robyn King (Boston University) and Lea Mishlan (South Florida) also received their bachelor's degrees in the last two weeks. . . The Brakettes bat girls for 2001 are Ashley Florek and Jillian Hoydick.
|
NOW YOU CAN CALL THEM-
THE STRATFORD BRAKETTES
For the past 53 years, the Brakettes have called Stratford, CT, home. From 1947-1987 the team played at Raybestos Memorial Field. The team was known as the "Raybestos Brakettes" until the 1985 season when Raybestos Manhattan sold its brake-lining division and then dropped its sponsorship. From 1985 through July 1990 the team was called the "Hi-Ho" Brakettes as D'Addario Industries of Bridgeport took over the financial support. Raybestos Products Company of Crawfordsville, IN, and its corporate office, Raytech of Shelton, CT, again assumed the sponsorship in August, 1990, and the team proudly carried the Raybestos name through the 1995 campaign. Once again, the Brakettes were in need of a sponsor and David Carpenter of Westport came to the rescue. The last five seasons the team was simply known as the Brakettes. According to Mr. Carpenter, "the one constant throughout the team's history has been the Town of Stratford and its wonderful fans. It was pretty obvious we should call the team the "Stratford Brakettes" because they are one of the jewels of this fine town."
Classics Join Brakettes' Family;
Co-Hosts for ASA 23-and-Under
The name remains the same, but the Connecticut Classics are now sponsored by the Stratford Brakettes organization. Jerry Katona, who founded the team four years ago, led the club to a 17-11 record last year and third place in the Northeast Seaboard Women's Fastpitch League.
The majority of the team returns, including star pitchers Jen Hadley and Sue Chymbor, a pair of Bristol residents. This year's team will play a 40-game regular-season schedule, including eight doubleheaders at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field. They are also one of the host teams for the ASA National 23-and-Under Tournament, set for July 27-29 at DeLuca Field. The Classics open on July 9 against the Northeast Magic.
Don't Miss Out on Updated Brakettes' History Book
For the first time since the mid-1980's, the Brakettes History and Record Book has been updated. There are highlights for all 54 years in team history, expanded records, All-Americans and more. For the first time ever, this book features rosters of every Brakettes team from 1947-2000. This 102-page book will be on sale opening night for $12. There is a limited supply, so be sure to buy your copy early. The 2001 Program Book will also be ready opening day. Booster Club members are asked to stop by the souvenir stand to receive their complimentary copy.
BRAKETTES SOFTBALL CLINICS
The Brakettes will conduct six softball clinics from June 25-July 17 at DeLuca Field. John Stratton is the Clinic Director while members of the team and staff will be working at them. The clinics are for girls age 10 through high school seniors. There are two identical Beginning Pitching sessions (June 25-26) and (July 2-3); two identical Advanced Pitching Sessions (July 5-6) and (July 9-10); Offense/Hitting (July 12-13) and Defense/Fielding (July 16-17). All sessions are two days from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Call the Brakettes office (203) 378-7262 for information/brochures.
Robustelli World Travel: Our Agents
The Brakettes will be attending the National ASA Championships in Phoenix, AZ, August 13-20. For information on tickets and lodging call Robustelli World Travel at (203) 352-0500 or write to them at: 30 Spring Street, Stamford, CT 06901. Ask for Rick Robustelli, #6 Emily's Dad!
Stratford High School senior catcher Leah Mingolello is the 2001 recipient of the Stratford Brakettes Softball Scholarship. Joining Leah are Brakettes General Manager/Coach Bob Baird, left, and Chairman David Carpenter.
|
