UNBEATEN BRAKETTES HOST CT. PANTHERS THURSDAY NIGHT; USA OLYMPIC TEAM (52-1) VISITS DELUCA FIELD ON JULY 20

July 9, 2008 - The Stratford Brakettes return to action Thursday night at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field when they host the Connecticut Panthers Gold in a 7 o'clock doubleheader. Six other games are on tap this weekend with the Hudson County Empire States all-star team, formerly the B.A.T.S. of Poughkeepsie, NY, providing the opposition Friday at 7 p.m., while the Pennsylvania Spirit are in town Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

Despite boasting a perfect 28-0 record, Brakettes Manager John Stratton isn’t getting too carried away with the team's success. Looming on the horizon for the Brakettes is Team USA, probably the most powerful softball team ever assembled. The USA Olympians improved their record to 52-1 Tuesday night with a 19-0 win over the Portland, OR, All-Stars. Two more stops remain before they visit DeLuca Field on Sunday, July 20 for their 7 p.m. nine-inning contest. The game is a sellout, but will be webcast by the Brakettes.

Brandice Balschmiter has taken over the team leadership in wins with her 10-0 record and 0.13 ERA. Leslie Malerich (9-0, 0.36) will be back in action next week as she completes her Italian National Team commitments. Collegiate All-America Kaitlin Cochran of NCAA champion Arizona State makes her debut Friday night. Whitney Mollica continues to lead the club with a .528 batting average (38-for-72) with seven home runs and 28 RBI. Denise Denis (.466) and Jenna Lopez (.427) are the Brakettes' other top hitters.

"It's going to be a challenge," said Stratton about Team USA. "They have some of the best players to have every played the game on their roster. And don’t forget the fact that they have been playing together for the past seven months on their Bound for Beijing Tour. Our kids are definitely looking forward to it. This is what softball is all about, playing against the best! It doesn’t get any better than this."

While losing only to Virginia Tech and All-America pitcher Angela Tincher in April, the USA Olympic team has dominated everyone they've played. In their last eight games they have scored 127 runs and during their tour they have outscored the opponents 618-26. The team sports a .432 batting average, led by center fielder Jessica Mendoza (.471, 16 home runs, and 83 RBI). Designated hitter Crystl Bustos is the leader with 24 home runs, while Natasha Watley is second in hitting at .422 and she is a perfect 21-for-21 in stolen bases. Former Brakettes outfielder Kelly Kretschman, who went 3-for-4 Tuesday night, leads the club with 46 walks.

Team USA Manager Mike Candrea has rotated his pitchers throughout the tour with Monica Abbott (14-0) tossing a perfect game with 13 strikeouts against Portland. She has fanned 189 in 90 innings. Former Brakettes pitcher Cat Osterman (12-0, 193 strikeouts in 92 innings), and Jennie Finch (17-1, 179 strikeouts in 102 innings) complete the dangerous mound staff.