GERMAINE FAIRCHILD SIGNS PRO PACT WITH CONNECTICUT BRAKETTES; PLAYER WAS MOST PROLIFIC HITTER WITH AMATEUR TEAM SINCE 1995

March 7, 2006 - Germaine Fairchild earned her bachelors degree in Environmental Policy at the University of Tulsa. During her five-year amateur softball career, Fairchild showed little regard for the environment as she literally tore up the softball diamond at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field in Stratford, CT. See the ball, hit the ball and drive in as many runs as possible was her motto while playing for the nationally-renowned Stratford Brakettes.

What Fairchild did in five years took many members of the Brakettes softball family a career to accomplish. The most prolific player in Brakettes history since 1995, Fairchild will now take her softball swat show to the National Pro Fastpitch league as she signed a contract with the Connecticut Brakettes.

Fairchild is the second player to sign with the Brakettes, joining 6-foot-3 pitcher Sarah Pauly. The Brakettes open their first NPF season June 1 at DeLuca Field.

"Germaine is a superb softball player, but more importantly, she is such a great person. That’s what our organization has been about for the past 59 years," said General Manager Bob Baird. "She personifies what we are looking for in our players. She is a classy professional and she always comes ready to play."

During her amateur days with the Brakettes, Fairchild played every position except pitcher and shortstop. Her primary position is behind the plate calling pitches, but she also has seen extensive action as the designated hitter and at first base.

A 1996 graduate of Tulsa, where she served as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach for three years, Fairchild currently is beginning her fourth year as the head softball coach at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. While establishing the Bobcats as one of the finest Division I programs in the Northeast, Fairchild has led them to a 73-69 record, including a program-high 34 wins in 2003.

This will be her third venture into professional softball. Previously a member of the Georgia Pride and Virginia Roadsters of the Women’s Professional League, Fairchild then played for the 2004 NPF champion New York Juggernaut before rejoining the Stratford Brakettes in 2005, where she exploded for some unbelievable offensive numbers.

While leading the Brakettes to a 51-17 record last year, which included 22 games against NPF clubs, and an ASA national runner-up finish, Fairchild tied the single-season home run record of 15, set by recent ASA Hall of Fame inductee Pat Dufficy in 1990. Fairchild’s 81 runs-batted-in ranks as the second best mark in Brakettes’ history. She belted 13 doubles and two triples while hitting .388 (68-for-175) and she scored 44 runs in 65 games. Fairchild captured her third team batting crown in 2005 and registered a .371 career batting average. She previously won the title in 2001 (.361) and 2003 (.382).

"What made last year’s figures so impressive was the fact we really couldn’t protect her in the lineup," said Manager John Stratton. "Teams could pitch around her and many times they did. It will be a lot different this year."

Despite her limited amateur career with the Brakettes organization, Fairchild ranks among the Top 20 in career statistics in six offensive categories. Her 34 home runs places her third behind all-time leader Dufficy (91) and Sheila Cornell (44). Fairchild also is sixth in RBI with 279 and 10th in career doubles with 63. She ranks 15th in doubles (20) and 16th in both runs (218) and hits (343).

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