CONNECTICUT BRAKETTES DRAFT CHOICES ENJOYING FINE COLLEGIATE SEASONS

April 8, 2006 - While the Connecticut Brakettes count down to their 2006 National Pro Fastpitch season opener June 1, the team’s five draft picks are leading their respective clubs to what they hope will be berths in the College World Series. “I’ve been following all of them via the internet,” said Connecticut Brakettes Manager John Stratton, who is pretty busy these days down in the Florida as Joan Joyce’s assistant at Florida Atlantic University. “While I can’t have any contact with them until they have completed their collegiate careers, I’ve got their statistics memorized.”

For the Connecticut Brakettes’ faithful, who can’t wait to see them in uniform at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field this summer, here’s a mid-season report card on their progress.

CAT OSTERMAN (TEXAS- NPF No. 1 Pick)
Cat Osterman, the number one selection in the draft, is enjoying an outstanding senior year at the University of Texas, the nation’s top-ranked softball team. While the talented southpaw moved into No. 1 in all-time career strikeouts February 25, she became the first collegian to strike out 2,000 batters when she fanned five Texas A & M hitters in a four-inning relief outing Wednesday night (April 5).
While boasting a 23-1 season record, Cat has pitched 162.2 innings, allowing 39 hits and five earned runs for a 0.22 ERA. She has struck out 365 batters and walked only 24 and she limits opposing hitters to a .074 batting average for 38-4 Texas, which stands 5-1 in the Big 12 Conference. Osterman also set another Texas record on February 21 when she struck out 20 batters in a no-hit outing against UT-San Antonio.

ANDREA DURAN (UCLA)
UCLA third baseman Andrea Duran, the third player selected in the draft, and the Connecticut Brakettes second first round pick, is hitting .333 for the second-ranked Bruins who are 31-3 and 3-1 in the Pac-10 Conference. Duran hit two home runs in the Bruins’ 7-4 win over Arizona State Friday night (April 7).
Duran, of Selma, CA and a four-year starter, is enjoying another superb season for ex-Brakettes outfielder Sue Enquist. Duran has scored 35 runs and driven in 24 from her lead off position in the batting order. Included among her 37 hits are eight doubles, three triples and nine home runs. She also has stolen 16 bases in 18 attempts.

ADRIENNE ALO (OREGON STATE)
Outfielder Adrienne Alo of Oregon State has been an important contributor for the sixth-ranked Beavers, who recently had their 28-game winning streak end. The Carson, CA, native is hitting .368 with 39 hits in 106 at bats for 29-4 OSU of Coach Kirk Walker, the brother of former Brakettes infielder Karen Walker. Alo has seven doubles and six home runs to go along with 31 RBI. She has stolen six bases in seven attempts.

AIMEE MINOR (WASHINGTON)
Outfielder Aimee Minor of Washington, a San Jacinto, CA, native, has returned to action after missing 10 games with injuries. She has appeared in 17 games, but only started 11 for the 27-11 Huskies, who are ranked 14th nationally. Minor has collected 11 hits in 29 at bats and six RBI and is expected to play a key role during Washington’s brutal Pac-10 schedule. Six Pac-10 teams are currently ranked in the Top 10.

STEPHANIE HILL (LOUISIANA STATE)
The Brakettes’ fourth round draft pick is Stephanie Hill, the first baseman for 11th-ranked Louisiana State University, which entered Saturday’s (April 8) SEC games riding an 11-game winning streak. Hill is hitting .386 with 12 doubles, five home runs and 29 RBI for the Lady Tigers who stand 36-5 overall and 10-2 in conference.

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