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STRATFORD BRAKETTES FACE CT ROGUE IN DELUCA FIELD DOUBLEHEADER
 June 24 - A new rivalry begins Thursday at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field as the Stratford Brakettes welcome the first-year CT Rogue, comprised mainly of former area scholastic standouts. The doubleheader starts at 7 p.m. The Brakettes enter with a 4-0 record, while this is the first ever game for the Rogue.
It marks the start of a busy weekend at DeLuca Field. The Stratford Brakettes host the Maryland Chill 18U Gold team Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. and play the Chill one game Sunday at 10 a.m. The Junior Brakettes will entertain the Rogue Saturday at 2 p.m. in a twin-bill and then play the Chill at 12 noon Sunday.
In sweeping the Junior Brakettes four games last weekend, Manager John Stratton was pleased overall with the play of both teams, despite a three-month shutdown of the sport for all the players due to the Coronavirus. “You could see that both teams were a bit rusty, but they both displayed a lot of good softball talent.”
Stratton was particularly impressed by his pitching staff of Boston University standout Ali DuBois, UMass Lowell grad Kaysee Talcik of Shelton, Cheshire's Abby Abramson and Waterbury's Sarah Lawton, all of whom posted complete game victories. DuBois struck out 17 batters, while Lawton had 14 strikeouts and Talcik 10.
“I really didn't know what to expect offensively since we lost so much through retirements. With nine newcomers up from our Junior team I was just hoping we could off-set some of the loss of four All-America players,” added the veteran manager.
Six of the top eight hitters thus far played for the Junior Brakettes last year, led by catchers Alexa Milius (1.000, 7-for-7) of Torrington and Southbury's Kaitlyn Flood (.538, 7-for-13). Two-time defending batting champion Lauren Pitney (.500) is next, while shortstop Briana Marcelino (.417) leads the team with six RBI.
The Junior Brakettes are led by Redding's Abby Ota (.500) of Joel Barlow, Ardsley, NY standout Lauren Rende (.455) and Claire McCann (.300) of Easton who is bound for Holy Cross.
The Rogue is coached by West Haven High assistant Bridget Figmic and Stratford assistant Gary Sherrick. Pitcher Angela Grindrod, infielders Reilly Matto and Rachel Newall and outfielder Taylor Lubas are all SHS softball grads, while West Haven pitcher Ivy Santos (Western Connecticut), Masuk's Emily Lange (Southern CT) and Katie Welch, pitcher Paige Hunter of St. Joseph, and University of Bridgeport players Jess Sanders of Milford and Janaya Young of Orange are some of the top Rogue players.
Gates to DeLuca Field will open at 6 p.m. Everyone entering the field will have their temperature checked by Brakettes staff and anyone with a temperature 100.4 or higher will not be admitted. General Admission outfield seating is available, but only with a lawn chair. Masks are required to enter and social distancing will be monitored.
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