STRATFORD BRAKETTES OPEN 61ST SEASON SATURDAY NIGHT

May 24, 2007 STRATFORD- The Stratford Brakettes open their 61st season of women’s fastpitch softball Saturday night when they host the Quebec Rebelles in a 7 p.m. doubleheader at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field. The teams also play a twin-bill Sunday at 11 a.m. Gates to DeLuca Field open at 5:30 p.m. and all youth league and high school softball players who wear their team jersey will be admitted free of charge Saturday. Season tickets will be on sale at the gate throughout the weekend.

Once again veteran manager John Stratton will be at the helm of the Brakettes, who are competing only on the amateur level this year. Last year the Brakettes also sponsored a team in the National Pro Fastpitch league, finishing runnerup to the New England Riptide, while the ASA Stratford Brakettes captured their 28th National Championship since 1958.

“We had to make a choice on where we wanted to play and we believe that the ASA level is where we should be,” said General Manager Bob Baird. “Most of our NPF players have landed on other teams and we wish them well. We are really excited about the prospects for the current season.” Manager Stratton added, “This is an unusually early start for us. Many of our players are still active in the NCAA tournament or they are en route here and won’t join us until next weekend when we host the Stratford Breakers.”

Coming off a 46-4 ASA record last year, when John’s son Jay and Rich Roessner piloted the club, the Brakettes will be competing for two national titles this year. Since the majority of the club is comprised of college players, they will compete for both the ASA 23-and-under crown that will be staged at DeLuca Field July 25-29. Then the team will head to South Bend, IN, to defend their Women’s Major crown August 4-7. Jay Stratton, Roessner and Fairfield University coach Julie Brzezinski comprise the Brakettes’ staff.

Catcher Jill Cimminello, infielder Erica Sobel, pitcher Robyn King and Italian Olympic team pitcher Leslie Malerich-Baird will join the tournament roster for the Women’s Major tourney. Cimminello and Sobel will be full-time players for the Brakettes throughout the season, but they will not be participating in the 23-and-under tourney because they are too old for that event.

Returning members of last year’s team include catcher Killian Roessner of Manasquan, NJ, the 2006 batting champion with a .468 average, 19 extra base hits and 41 RBI, pitcher Dani Hofer (18-1, 0.49 ERA) of Safety Harbor, FL, both members of the 55-10 LSU softball team that is playing in the NCAA Super Regionals this weekend. Also back is pitcher Brandice Balschmiter (14-2, 0.76 ERA) and third baseman Whitney Mollica (.440, eight home runs and 43 RBI) of UMass, outfielder Allison Twarowski (.386, 30 RBI) of Fordham, and Mississippi State shortstop Courtney Bures (.379, 9 RBI).

Stratton also has another UMass product in right-handed pitcher Bailey Sanders (10-4 as a frosh), who was the only amateur pitcher to beat the Brakettes last year with the Polar Crush of Worcester, 1-0. Mississippi State infielder/catcher Chelsea Bramlett, a switch-hitter, is the fastest recruit to play in over a decade. She hit .386, scored 56 runs and stole 46 bases in 50 attempts this spring. Two other talented collegians are first baseman Vanessa Soto of San Diego and Tayl’r Hollis of St. Arnant, LA, also members of the LSU team where Hofer is 24-2 and she was the MVP in the SEC tournament.

Two members of last year’s NPF Brakettes will be playing on the amateur level this year with outfielder Denise Denis of UMass and first baseman Steph Hill expected to provide additional offensive power and solid defense. Stratton has two other long-ball threats in shortstop Brooke Marnitz of Kentucky, who hit .399 with 21 home runs and 61 RBI this spring, and outfielder Beth Boden of Tennessee Tech, who led the NCAA with 25 home runs.

Two other members of the team are very familiar with Stratton since they both played for him at Florida Atlantic University where he assists ASA Hall of Famer Joan Joyce. They are second baseman Mandie Fishback, who led the club with a .366 average, 45 runs scored and 40 RBI this spring, and pitcher Candice Freel of Corvalis, OR, who played for the Philadelphia Force in the NPF last year. Freel had a great junior campaign at FAU with a 28-9 record, 0.67 ERA and 266 strikeouts before injuries curtailed her playing time as a senior.

Stratton is awaiting commitments from a few other players, but their status won’t be known until the tryouts for the ASA National team are finished.

For additional information contact: Bob Baird (203) 378-7262