Thursday is Brakettes' Opening Night... Youth League Players in Uniform to be Admitted Free!

June 12, 2008 - The Stratford Brakettes will open their 2008 home schedule Thursday, June 12, at DeLuca HOF Field in Stratford. The defending ASA Women's Major National Champions will host the Stratford Seahawks in a 7 pm doubleheader, as they kick off a four-day, seven-game Opening Weekend. Friday night will feature a single 7:00 matchup vs. the Connecticut High School Senior All-Stars. The Brakettes will battle both Saturday night and Sunday afternoon in doubleheaders with the New Jersey Elite.

All youth league softball players wearing their team's jersey will be admitted absolutely free for Thursday''s games, as well as any of the other games during Opening Weekend.

The Brakettes returned this week from a six-game road trip to Pennsylvania (see photos), sweeping doubleheaders from the Outten Trailblazers, Lyons (PA) Spirit, and Topton VIP's, Stratford improved to 6-0 on the season.

The Brakettes feature a strong core, highlighted by former Team USA pitcher Danielle Henderson, Italian Olympian right-hander Leslie Malerich (3-0, 38 K in 19 IP last weekend in PA), former NPF star outfielder Denise Denis (a .428 batter in 2007), and second baseman Mandy Fishback, who batted .422 in 2007 with 55 RBI. Veterans Jill Cimminello and Amber Radomski also return for the Brakettes, as well as numerous other members from the 2007 ASA Champions.

Returning NCAA stars include UMASS All-American pitcher Brandice Balschmiter (2-0, 0.00 ERA in PA), and her collegiate teammates Whitney Mollica and Bailey Sanders. Mollica broke open a game against the Outten Trailblazers Friday night in Blandon, PA with a towering 260-ft. home run to left. Sanders, who sat out the 2007 Brakettes' season with a right arm injury, made her pitching debut Sunday, picking up her first win as a Brakette.

Jenna Lopez, fresh off her senior season at Florida Atlantic, impressed in her first games with the Brakettes, smashing a homer and four triples in six games. Newcomers Ashley Waters and Laura Trout were also key in the six-game sweep through Pennsylvania, as was UMASS catcher Jess Serio, who was behind home plate for every game.

The Brakettes’ 2008 schedule features 28 home dates, including the July 20th matchup vs. the U.S. Olympic Team. The St. Louis Saints, perennial ASA national contenders, will come to Connecticut in early August for a pair of doubleheaders with the Brakettes, as both teams will hope to tune up for the ensuing ASA Nationals in Amherst, NY. The rest of the schedule includes games against top teams from throughout the Northeast.

To submit a player's name for consideration to be a Brakettes' bat girl, e-mail your request to us at brakettes@hotmail.com.