After five seasons with the Stratford Brakettes, Erica Sobel will never forget her first weekend visit in 2001. Asked to fill in for a couple of games, Sobel impressed Manager John Stratton so much that she has become a fixture with the ballclub. Stratton was looking for a utility infielder to anchor the defense. He got that and plenty more as Sobel has developed into a consistent hitter with unexpected power surges. A Worcester, MA, resident, who had a stellar collegiate career at Maine, Sobel has fashioned a .314 career batting average in 256 games. She also has delivered 30 doubles, 9 triples and 22 home runs, one-half of them coming in the 2003 Brakettes’ championship season. She also drove in 46 runs that year and shared the co-MVP award in the Northeast League championship. Last year Sobel had a career-high .352 batting average with 24 RBI as she earned Second-Team All-America. Prior to joining the Brakettes, Sobel played with the Polar Crush of Worcester. Defensively, you won’t find a better fielder as she has extremely soft hands and gets a good jump on the ball.

Career Statistics

2001	Stratford Brakettes											ASA
				GP	AVG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
				49	.231	108	20	25	2	1	0	9	9	18
2002	Stratford Brakettes											ASA
				GP	AVG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
				59	321	140	41	45	12	4	4	35	16	9
2003	Stratford Brakettes											ASA
				GP	AVG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
				59	.317	148	33	47	6	1	11	46	22	17
2004	Stratford Brakettes											ASA
				GP	AVG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
				45	.341	132	23	45	4	3	3	21	9	20
2005	Stratford Brakettes											ASA
				GP	AVG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
				44	.352	105	22	37	6	0	4	24	12	16