Players

JOAN JOYCE, Pitcher

One of the most prolific performers in the sports world, the name Joan Joyce has become almost synonymous with women’s softball. As a pitcher with the Raybestos Brakettes, Joan compiled a phenomenal 429 wins to only 33 losses. When you add on her wins during her three seasons in Orange, California, the total is just short of the 600 mark. Among her victories with Raybestos are 105 no-hitters and 33 perfect games. Joan struck out 5,677 batters in 3,397–1/3 innings … yet displayed super control by walking only 629 batters in 476 games. Some of Joan’s other accomplishments include a string of 157 consecutive scoreless innings (1975), 58 consecutive season pitching victories (1959-1961), and her past season was one of her best as a hurler, as Joan won all 36 games she pitched in and compiled a 0.14 earned run average. In 1974, Joan won 42 games, which is a Brakette record that should stand for years to come.

But Joan Joyce’s accomplishments don’t stop at the pitcher’s mound. At the plate, she has a .327 batting average during her years with the Brakettes, including over 900 hits and 529 RBIs. She holds the record for the most doubles by a Brakette in one season, 22 in 1968. She led the team in hitting six times and holds ten other Raybestos records. Joan is one of those players who seems to get better every year. In 1975, she hit .381 for the season and drove home 37 runs. And in the National Tournament she was instrumental in leading the Brakettes to the Championship by going 9 for 17 at the plate, with four doubles and nine RBIs. Joan played for Orange, California from 1964-1966, but when she returned to Connecticut in 1967, she posted a 19-0 record on the mound and won a batting championship by hitting .365.

Joan broke into the Amateur ranks at age 16, playing first base and pitching a 4-1 record for the Brakettes. Rarely is Joan Joyce not chose MVP, and she’s chosen to the First Team All-Star squad 17 times, and to the Second Team All-Stars once. Joan’s key to success as a pitcher is the variety of things that she can do to the softball…all of which keep even the best hitters wondering what’s next.

With one year of pro ball under her belt, Joan's pitching performance was more than outstanding. While pitching in 312-2/3 innings, Joan only allowed 99 hits, struck out 494 batters, while walking only 32 and finished the season with a phenomenal 39-2 record.

CLAIRE BETH TOMASIEWICZ, Catcher

Catcher “C.B.” Tomasiewicz is one of two catchers on the Connecticut roster this season. A fine defensive backstop, C.B. is the only catcher on the team who has been behind the plate while star pitcher Joan Joyce has been pitching.

C.B. played three seasons with the Raybestos Brakettes and had her best season in 1974, when she hit a .305 clip. C.B. attends Princeton University in New Jersey, where she played on the women’s varsity basketball team last winter. The team went to the small college AIAW National Tournament. While attending high school in Weston, Connecticut she displayed her versatility by starring in three sports, field hockey, basketball and softball.

C.B. is a Civil Engineering Major at Princeton, where she resides during the off season. Her hometown is Weston, Connecticut.

DONNA TERRY, Pitcher-Outfield

Donna Terry realized she wanted to be a softball pitcher when, as a young athlete, she saw Joan Joyce pitching for the Orange Lionettes at the National Tournament in Orlando, Florida. Donna had played baseball in Little League competition in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When disallowed to compete on the boys’ team, she turned her attentions towards swimming, and made a bid for the United States Olympic swim team in 1964.

After her meeting with Joan Joyce, Donna joined a team in Memphis, Tennessee. Within two years, she was asked to join the ASA fast-pitch Orlando Rebels in Florida. After dropping out of softball for a few seasons, Donna returned to the mound for the Rebels last season.

A versatile athlete, Donna was a starter on the Memphis State University girls’ varsity basketball team from 1965 to 1969. When she isn’t participating in athletics, Donna relaxes by reading and writing poetry. During the off season, Donna follows the sun and makes her home in Miami, Florida.

Donna was second for the Connecticut Falcons in the batting average department with a .328.

KATHY STILWELL, Outfield

23-year-old Kathy Stilwell born in Garnett, Kansas is presently studying to be a teacher. Kathy finished her first season as a professional with a .269 average. Kathy’s hobbies are music, piano and playing all sports during her spare time. Kathy’s favorite foods are tacos and hot fudge cake.

SNOOKI, MULDER, Outfield

Outfielder Snooki Mulder came to Connecticut from the Southern California Gems by way of a trade for pitcher Donna Lopiano, who was later traded to Chicago. Snooki is considered to be a premiere defensive outfielder who uses her good speed to cover a lot of ground.

Snooki, who lives in Mt. Dora, Florida, in the off season, played six seasons with the Orlando Rebels and spent last year with the Orlando Suns. During that time, she was picked to the All-Southern Regional squad five times and was twice named to the second team All-Star squad. Snooki played in the National ASA Tournament during six different seasons.

Snooki studied basic law enforcement at Lake County Vocation School after graduating from Eustis High School in Eustis, Florida. When she’s not playing softball, there’s a good chance you’ll find her swimming or riding a motorcycle…her favorite pastimes.

LUCILLE GECEWICZ, Outfield

One of Connecticut’s best all-around players is ‘Lu” Gecewicz. Lu, one of the fastest outfielders in the league, is also a solid hitter.

Playing two seasons with the Raybestos Brakettes, Lu compiled a .339 batting average. She had a good year at the plate in 1975, knocking in 31 runs on her way to a .352 season. She also used her speed to leg out eight triples. Her speed in the outfield and her accurate throwing arm will keep opponents from attempting extra bases. Although she only played two seasons with the Brakettes, Lu has been in softball since 1969, when she broke in with the Shoreline Bells.

FRAN SARULLO, Infield

Young Fran Sarullo is being counted on to be an integral part of Connecticut’s infield defense. Playing for the Raybestos Brakettes last season, Fran knocked in 15 runs in only 120 plate appearances. She has also played second base early in her career, as well as her regular post at shortstop. Fran scores runs when they are needed, and in limited duty crossed the plate with 23 runs last season.

Fran is currently doing her undergraduate work at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. The climate there is ideal for her as Fran enjoys the outdoors and especially likes to play tennis. She is one of several Connecticut players who should be around the league for seasons to come.

ANNETTE FORTUNE, Outfield

Annette began her softball career by playing recreation league ball in western Massachusetts in 1957. In 1968, she was playing for Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. While there, she received both her Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Physical Education.

Annette is also a fine field hockey player. From 1968 to 1972, she was chosen to the Deep South Field Hockey first team All-Star squad. In 1972, Annette was the Most Valuable Player on the Appalachian State University field hockey team. As recently as 1975, Annette was chosen to the All New Hampshire field hockey second team.

During the off season, Annette is a teacher at East Granby High School in Connecticut. Her year round home is in Granville, Massachusetts.

SANDY FISCHER, Pitcher

Sandy born in Quincy, Illinois, is no newcomer to the Connecticut fans. Sandy’s pitching during 1976 accounted for 11 wins against 7 losses and ended with a 1.01 ERA. Sandy is presently a graduate student at MSU and is also assistant softball coach. Under Sandy’s leadership MSU was the 1976 National Collegiate Champions in softball.

IRENE SHEA, Third Base

Irene Shea is being counted on by Connecticut to supply a lot of punch at the plate and to spark the infield defense.

Playing for the Raybestos Brakettes for three seasons, Irene’s name already appears in the team’s record books several times; most runs scored with 81 in 1974, most hits with 124 in 1974, and most triples, 13, a record she set twice in 1973 and 1974. Irene also grabbed the team batting title the past two seasons, hitting a .423 pace in 1974 and .421 in 1975. Her .395 lifetime batting average for the Brakettes is one of the main reasons that the quick-fielding third baseman has been named a first-team All-star in each of her first three seasons. Just to top off a super season in 1975, Irene helped the Brakettes to the National ASA Title by hitting .545 in the National Tournament.

When she’s not putting fear into opposing pitchers, Irene is teaching others how to improve their abilities. She currently instructs at the State University of New York at Brockport, where she resides during the off season. Irene ended the 1976 with a hefty .325 batting average, two home runs and seven stolen bases.

JOYCE COMPTON, First Base

Clutch hitting is the name of the game and first baseman Joyce Compton is one of the best clutch hitters to emerge in recent years.

The young veteran played three seasons with the Raybestos Brakettes, and in that short tenure knocked in 142 runs. She hits when there aren’t runners on base also…her .338 batting average is a testimony to that. Joyce had a super all-around year with the bat in 1975, leading the Brakettes in three hitting departments, triples with 10; doubles with 12; and RBIs with 44. In her very first year with Brakettes, Joyce broke the team’s RBI record by knocking in 55 runs. In 1974, she broke her own record by driving home 56 runs. And just to keep her reputation as a clutch hitter intact, she went 9 for 21 in the National Tournament in 1975 for a .429 mark. Her 1975 season earned her second team All-Star honors.

Joyce attended Trenton State College in New Jersey and currently serves as Women’s Athletic Director at Mattatuck Community College in Waterbury, Connecticut. When she finds some spare time, you’re very likely to find her on the tennis court. Joyce now lives in Stratford, Connecticut.

The highlight of Joyce’s first season as a professional was when she was selected as All-Pro first base.

KATHY NEAL, Pitcher

Kathy Neal was the team’s number one pick in the league draft held in Chicago this past January. A former standout in volleyball, hockey, basketball and track at California State University at Chico (Chico State), she graduated in 1972 as the school’s outstanding female athlete.

The fire-balling right-hander launched her active softball career with a slow-pitch team in Santa Rosa in 1968. She earned Most Valuable Player honors as an outfielder in the slow-pitch California State Tourney held that year in Santa Rosa. In 1970, she joined the Chico Peppers, managed and coached by former Brakette standout Joan Wallace. The club was a fast-pitch team with Kathy starring in the outfield before taking up pitching chores the following season, rotating between the mound and first base from 1971-1974. While playing for the Peppers, she earned league and regional honors at all three positions. Last season, Kathy played for the Sunnyvale Bandits out of Sunnyvale, California.

Kathy is currently working towards her Master’s Degree in Physical Education at Chico State, and will return there at the close of the 1976 season. Kathy ended up being the number two pitcher for the Connecticut Falcons last year and compiled an impressive record of 19-10 and an ERA of 1.09.

SHARRON BACKUS, Shortstop

Sharron is another fine player who has amateur experience with the Raybestos Brakettes. In seven seasons there, Sharron compiled a .292 batting average.

She is best known for her excellent fielding and her throwing arm is highly regarded by everyone who has seen her play. In fact, Sharron began her softball career when a coach noticed her throwing a football. At the plate, Sharron is regarded as a clutch hitter, usually getting on base in key situations. Her all-around fine play earned her first team All Star honors in 1971 and 1974.

Sharron, who grew up in Anaheim, California, is the “out of doors” type. In her free time, you might find Sharron enjoying crafts and ceramics. She attended Fullerton Junior College in California, and went on to California State University in Fullerton. Sharron makes her off season home in Fullerton. As a pro, Sharron showed her power with a strong batting average of .264 and ended the season with two home runs, and was selected to the Eastern All-Star squad as an All-Pro Shortstop.

WILLIE ROZE, Outfield-Infield

Fleet-footed veteran Willie Roze also played amateur ball with the Raybestos Brakettes and was one of the big guns at the plate during her ten-year stint there. Her lifetime .281 batting average is solid in the Willie has hit in key spots driving in 203 runs. She had a banner year in 1975, hitting for a .342 average with 33 runs batted in.

One of softball’s most versatile All-Stars, Willie has been picked to the All-Star squad four times as an outfielder and once as an infielder. She’s also been tabbed for second-team honors three times. One of Willie’s valuable assets is her speed and her super base-running ability has keyed many rallies. Her durability enabled her to lead the Brakettes in games played last season as she appeared in 70 contests.

Willie received both her Bachelor’s Degree and her Master’s Degree from Southern Connecticut State College. During the off season, she is a high school physical education instructor in Madison, Connecticut. Willie makes her home in Hamden, Connecticut.

Willie finished the 1976 season with a .285 batting average, seven home runs and was selected All-Pro second base for the eastern division.