BRAKETTES PREP FOR NATIONAL TOURNEY WITH 9-GAME HOME STAND

July 31, 2009 - STRATFORD- Nine regular season games remain on tap for the Stratford Brakettes as they prepare for the 12-team Women's Major Softball National Championship tournament at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field and the Short Beach Recreation Complex. The tourney begins Thursday and runs through August 9.

Tonight (Friday, July 31) the Brakettes (40-5) host the Mirage Gold in a 7 o'clock doubleheader at DeLuca Field. The twin-bill was originally scheduled July 23 but it was rained out. Saturday at 7 p.m. the Brakettes host the B.A.T.S. Diamond Sports in another doubleheader on "Fairfield Girls Softball League Night." The weekend concludes Sunday with a 5 p.m. doubleheader against the Rhode Island Thunder Gold.

Before the Brakettes launch pool play in the tournament, they will face the St. Louis Saints in Tuesday at 7 p.m. for a doubleheader and then take on the Tradition 18-U North, the defending PONY National Champs, Wedneday at 7 p.m.

As the team heads into the home stretch, Denise Denis continues her quest for the team triple crown. The fourth-year outfielder already leads in home runs (12) and RBI (47) and she has a .412 batting average. Rookie center fielder Carly Normandin is the leader at .426. Lindsey Kay Bright (.468) has the highest average, but at the present doesn't have enough official at bats to qualify for the batting title.

Bailey Sanders (14-1), Jen Russell (10-2) and Kasey Barrett (5-0) will handle the pitching chores this weekend. Barrett has been impressive thus far with 45 strikeouts in 26.2 innings and she has yet to allow a run.

The Brakettes enter this weekend's play three wins away from reaching 3,400 in their 63-year career against just 377 defeats. Manager John Stratton, now in his 14th year at the helm, is 11 wins away from the 800-career mark. He has a 789-101 mark and six National Championships to his credit.

Tournament passes for the Women's Major Softball National Championship tournament will be on sale throughout the weekend at DeLuca Field. Tickets also may be reserved by calling (203) 378-7262 or downloading a form here (pdf).