WMS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT BEGINS THURSDAY AT DELUCA FIELD

Aug 5 - It's tournament time for the Stratford Brakettes and despite the fact that the 2020 season has been a very different one, veteran Manager John Stratton still enjoys this time of year. The 12th annual Women's Major Softball National Championship begins Thursday at 8 a.m. at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field. Six games are on tap with all eight teams in action.

Gates to DeLuca Field open at 7 a.m. and all players, spectators, and staff must wear a mask to enter the ballpark. There will be seven sessions, culminating with Sunday's 1 p.m. championship. Tournament passes that are good for 23 games will be on sale.

Games are set for DeLuca Field at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

The defending two-time champion Stratford Brakettes (28-2) carry a 15-game winning streak into the event that features two games of pool play for each team followed by a double-elimination format. Stratton's club plays immediately following opening ceremonies at 6:45 p.m.

Joining the Stratford Brakettes will be the Junior Brakettes, who carry an 11-game winning streak and a 20-8 overall record. Take away seven losses to Stratford and the Junior Brakettes are 20-1 under second-year Coach Mary Sciglimpaglia.

The two other favorites are the CT Eliminators Women and the Central New Jersey Lightning 23U. CT Rogue, the CT Eliminators 18+, Team Connecticut, and Cheshire Wildcats 23 U complete the field. Covid-19 knocked the Concord, MA, Raiders, out of the tournament when Rhode Island went on the “hot list” for Connecticut Tuesday. Two other teams had to withdraw because their states required a 14-day quarantine to play in the tournament.

Emma Larke (.500) continues to lead in batting for those with the required number of at bats. Briana Marcelino has moved her average up to .479 with 12 doubles, four home runs and 31 RBI. She is tied with two-time defending batting champion Lauren Pitney for the RBI lead, while Gillian Birk's six home runs top the squad.

Stratton's mound corps is deep with Sarah Lawton (9-1), Abby Abramson (5-0), Ali DuBois (5-0), Kaysee Talcik (5-1) and Sydney Senerchia (4-0).

The Junior Brakettes are led by shortstop Lauren Rende, first baseman Claire McCann, and catcher Charlee Horton and bunter supreme Abby Ota, who has 27 stolen bases. They, too, have a deep mound staff in Jenna Geffert, Jillian Kane, Sam Schiebe, Sophia DiCocco, Maddie Procyk, and Olivia Vadas.

Following the first session action there will be a team social for all participants, during which time the Majestic Brass will entertain the crowd with a medley of song. Opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m. The annual WMS Recognition Awards will be presented to long-time sponsor and coach Jerry Katona of the CT Classics, former Classic and Brakettes player and ultra-successful Cheshire High softball coach Kristine Botto Drust, now the associate head coach of the Brakettes, and the original “voice” of the Raybestos Brakettes, Richard “Dick” Ondek.