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BALSCHMITER, DENIS PROVIDE LEADERSHIP FOR BRAKETTES
 July 22, 2015 - Veteran leadership is what Stratford Brakettes Manager John Stratton attributes to this year's success. Despite the loss of several long-time players and the fact that the team has 11 new players this season, the Brakettes have hardly missed a beat with a 28-6 overall record, following last weekend's USSSA Invitational championship.
The two veterans most responsible for providing that leadership are ninth-year pitching phenom Brandice Balschmiter of Newark, NY, and 11th-year outfielder Denise Denis of Saratoga Springs, NY, who now resides in Stamford. There is a common denominator for both players, as they achieved All-America status while playing at the University of Massachusetts.
“What more can you say about Brandice and Denise,” said John Stratton. “Year in and year out they continue to put up some impressive numbers. They have carried our team this year, but more importantly, they have assumed a leadership role on the field. I couldn't be happier.”
Both players will be in action this week as the Brakettes quickly move toward the post-season. The Brakettes play Thursday night in a split doubleheader against the Stratford Breakers at 7 p.m. and the CT Seahawks at 8:30 at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field. This is the Brakettes' final home weekend of the season before they begin their title defense in the 7th annual Women's Major Softball National Championship tournament August 6-9. Riding a 14-game win streak, the Brakettes will host the Mass Pride in doubleheaders Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m.
Manager John Stratton's club travels to New York for twin-bills August 1-2 against the Queens Lady Rangers and the NYC Havoc. They will play host to the St. Louis Saints on August 4 in a pre-tournament doubleheader at 6:30 p.m. at DeLuca Field.
How good is Balschmiter, who was the fifth overall pick in the 2009 National Pro Fastpitch draft by the Chicago Bandits? A look at her numbers will provide the answer. She is 11-2 this year with a 0.31 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 89 innings of work. The 6-foot-2 Balschmiter, a two-time All-America at UMass, stands at 146-11 in her career, having just passed Rusty Abernethy (145-40) last weekend to move into sixth place all-time in the Brakettes record book. The only people ahead of her are Barbara Reinalda, Joan Joyce, Kathy Arendsen, the late Bertha Tickey, and Donna LoPiano, all members of the National ASA Hall of Fame.
Denis began her career with the Brakettes in 2005 and played in the pro league the following year with the Connecticut Brakettes. She is third in hitting this year with a .400 average, while she leads the club with seven home runs and 36 RBI. Last weekend Denis, the Brakettes all-time home run leader, reached the 100-HR plateau by hitting home runs in three games Saturday.
In addition to her home run leadership, Denis will surpass Dot Richardson (542) and move into 11th place in games played this weekend. She is second in career runs with 543, sixth in hits at 631, having just passed Diane Schumacher, and fifth in both doubles and triples.
“We are so young this year and Brandice and Denise, both of whom have announced they will play again next year, have taken it upon themselves to be the leaders,” added Stratton, who is hoping to lead the Brakettes to their sixth straight WMS title.
Tournament passes for the WMS championship event will be on sale at the remaining Brakettes home games.
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