BRAKETTES FACE SEAHAWKS IN OPENER FRIDAY AT DELUCA FIELD

May 31, 2011 - The Stratford Brakettes open their 65th season of women's major fastpitch softball Friday evening when they host the newly formed Stratford Seahawks U-23 at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field. The doubleheader begins at 7 p.m. with the ticket window opening at 6 p.m. The Brakettes will continue their policy of letting all youth league teams in for free for the entire season.

Also on tap for the weekend is a 7 p.m. twin-bill Saturday night against the Newtown, PA, Rock Gold and a tripleheader Sunday between the Seahawks, Rock, and Brakettes starting at 2 p.m. The Rock and Seahawks play the first game with the Brakettes taking on the Rock and Seahawks, respectively, at 4 and 6 p.m.

The Rock is the last team to beat the Brakettes, posting a 7-3 win exactly one year ago Saturday. Following that defeat Manager John Stratton's club ran the table for a final record of 57-1. Stratton, now in his 34th year with the team, has a 901-107 record as the manager. He will be assisted by player-coach Amber Ramdomski, who hit .279 as a utility player in 2010.

Leading the team into action will be two veteran pitchers, fourth-year player Rachele Fico (33-0, 0.35 ERA) and fifth-year hurler Brandice Balschmiter (2-0, 0.58 ERA). Fico concluded an injury-filled sophomore year at LSU last month, while Balschmiter returns to full-time action with the Brakettes for the first time since 2008. Fico is unbeaten in her Brakettes career at 43-0, while Balschmiter is 57-7. Both are big-time strikeout artists with Fico collecting 305 last year and Balschmiter ranked among the career leaders in that category.

Florida Atlantic's Stephanie Call, a 5-foot-11 right handed transfer from North Carolina State, rounds out the starting rotation. Call is also a power hitter who will see time at first base. Her collegiate coach is Joan Joyce, one of the Brakettes' all-time greats who will be in Stratford for the first Reunion Weekend July 8-10 along with an estimated 100-plus former Brakettes for a full slate of activities.

Many of the top players from last year's Women’s Major Softball National Championship, the 29th in team history, are back, led by batting champion Carly Normandin (.530). The UMass All-America outfielder led the team in hits (87), doubles (19) and shared the home run lead with Denise Denis at 10. She also drove in 50 runs. Denis is back for her seventh season after a .456 campaign with 35 extra base hits and 52 RBI.

The double-play combination of shortstop Mandie Fishback (.331, 35 RBI) and second baseman Ashley Waters (.325, 34 RBI) gives the Brakettes strength up the middle, while Georgia’s Kristyn Sandberg (.439, 21 RBI in 22 games) will provide power and defense at first base. First baseman/outfielder Sarah Calgreen of AIC, a former Bunnell High standout, returns for her first full season with the Brakettes.

There will be six other newcomers on the roster, led by Quinnipiac University catcher/outfielder Jordan Paolucci of Lake Mary, FL. She led ex-Brakettes catcher Germaine Fairchild’s Bobcats with a .351 batting average, 15 home runs and 36 RBI as a freshman. Another big-time player is Arkansas outfielder Becca Carden of Miami, OK, who led the Razorbacks with a .335 average and 24 RBI. Catcher Alisa Heronema of Berthoud, CO, a Division II All-America at Regis University hit .339 this year, while ex-Newtown High All-Stater Kate Bowen led Manhattan University with a .336 average and 25 RBI this spring. Infielder Melissa Mancuso of Maryland, and Lauralton Hall catcher Mariel Schlaefer are the other first-year Brakettes.

BRAKETTES NOTES- Season tickets will be on sale at the field throughout the weekend. Box seats are $100 for a 50-game regular-season home slate, reserved with back rests (behind home) plate are $80 and the first and third base bleachers are $60. All subsequent tickets are one-half the price. . . Four Brakettes were involved in the NCAA Super Regionals last weekend with Baylor pitcher Whitney Canion (7-0 last year) the only one still playing. Baylor reached the College World Series with a 2-1 series win over Georgia. Canion is part of Team USA this summer. In addition to Sandberg, 2008 Brakettes player Laura Trout was the Lady Bulldogs starting shortstop. Also in the Super Regionals was pitcher Donna Bourgeois (4-0 last year) who led Houston this season. . . Slick-fielding third baseman Jessica Mouse of LSU will not be returning after a foot injury sidelined her for the entire 2011 season. Also, long-time assistant Rich Roessner has stepped down as he is about to become a grandfather. Roessner will be serving in a limited role with the Rock, where his daughter Killian Roessner, a seven-year Brakettes player, made her debut.