CONNECTICUT BRAKETTES LAUNCH SERIES THURSDAY NIGHT WITH DEFENDING CHAMPION AKRON RACERS

June 14, 2006 - STRATFORD- The defending National Pro Fastpitch champion Akron Racers visit Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field Thursday night to begin a four-game series with the undefeated Connecticut Brakettes. Game time is 7:05 p.m. with the gates opening at 5 p.m.

The Racers defeated the Chicago Bandits 5-4 in last year's nationally-televised championship game, rallying from a 4-0 deficit. Manager Judy Martino's club is led by the big three of USA Olympians Crystl Bustos at third base and catcher Jenny Topping. Outfielder Iyhia McMichael of Mississippi State, who captured the league MVP honors last year, is also on the club.

After a four-game sweep of visiting Chinese Taipei, the Brakettes enter the NPF contest with a 5-0 record, while Akron stands 5-2.

Bustos leads the Racers with a .444 average with two home runs and 10 RBI thus far. She is at the USA Team trials in Chula Vista, CA, and will be joining the club for Friday night's game. In 2004 she played at DeLuca for the USA Olympic Team and crushed two home runs to deep center field.

The Racers will utilize the pitching talents of Jamie Southern (3-0, 0.67) and Brandee McArthurs (1-1, 1.45) in the series. McMichael is currently hitting .273, while Topping (.263) and Kim Gonzalez (.316), who played for the Schutt Hurricanes last summer, are other top Racer hitters.

Playing close games has been the rule for the Brakettes, who won three one-run games against Taipei, including a come-from-behind 4-3, 11-inning verdict Tuesday night. Sarah Pauly (3-0, 1.08) and Nikki Myers (2-0, 0.00) have been outstanding on the mound for the Brakettes. Manager John Stratton also will have right-handed pitcher Kaci Clark available. Clark returned from her winter season in the Japanese League.

Second baseman Stephanie Best (.333, 3 RBI) and outfielder Aimee Minor (.333) lead the Brakettes' offense, which is still looking for cleanup hitter Germaine Fairchild to get her bat in gear. Last year's Triple Crown winner, with a .389 batting average, 15 home runs and 81 RBI, is hitless in 17 plate appearances, while third baseman Jen Owens is 0-for-10.

"I'm not worried about them (Germaine and Jen)," said Stratton. They are experienced hitters and they will start contributing to the offense."

Rookie Stephanie Hill (.231) has been a pleasant surprise with her bat and first base play as the Brakettes have played without three USA Olympic hopefuls – Kelly Kretschman, Kellie Wilkerson and Jessica Merchant. All three will be back in time for the final three games of the series.

BRAKETTES BRIEFS- First round draft choice Andrea Duran of UCLA and second round pick Adrienne Alo of Oregon State will be in town next Tuesday. They are finishing final exams this week. . . Team management is still hopeful that Cat Osterman will be able to play next week when the powerful Chicago Bandits come to DeLuca for games June 22-25. . .The Bandits confirmed Tuesday that they expect Jenny Finch to be in the lineup. Finch recently gave birth and has been working her way back into shape. . .Brakettes Leslie Malerich pitched Team Italy to a victory Monday night over the Czech Republic

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