STRATFORD BRAKETTES RETURN HOME AGAINST XTREME CHAOS

July 8, 2009 - The Stratford Brakettes begin an eight-game weekend home stand Thursday night (July 9) against the XTreme Chaos in a 7 o'clock doubleheader at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field. The Chaos feature a roster of former scholastic standouts from Fairfield County, including former Stratford High All-State pitcher Carrie Potter who will be pitching against her college coach, Brakettes Manager John Stratton.

Potter and Woodland Regional star Katie Alfiere handle the pitching chores for Manager Jeff Babineau's team that brings a 12-1 overall record into the contest. Potter had the best earned run average this past spring at Florida Atlantic University, where Stratton is the coach for manager Joan Joyce.

St. Joseph's Christine DellaVecchia, a two-time All-Stater, will be playing against some of her future UMass teammates in Brakettes pitcher Bailey Sanders (9-1), catcher Jessica Serio (.438), and center fielder Carly Normandin (.475). Bridget Figmic and Katee Repko are other St. Joseph players on the XTreme Chaos roster.

Friday night at 7:30 p.m., the Brakettes host the Connecticut Mirage, who have compiled an 8-7 record thus far in 23-and-under cirles. Assumption College shortstop Ashley Bilodeau of Manchester and Baltic's Caitlin Eaton, who plays at Tennessee State, are two of the top hitters for the Mirage of Coach Tom Downs. Eaton also is 3-1 on the mound, while Hartford's Amanda Farnan and Bentley's Hillary Schnip both have 3-2 pitching records. Seymour's Jessica Rickel leads the Mirage with a .391 batting average.

Completing the weekend will be doubleheaders against the Lyons, PA, Spirit Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 12 noon.

Sanders, Rachele Fico (2-0), and Jen Russell (4-1) of Sacred Heart will divide the pitching chores for the 19-4 Brakettes, while Denise Denis continues to lead the team in most offensive categories. She is hitting .446 with a team-leading eight home runs and 30 RBI.

Tickets for the Women's Major Softball National Championship tournament will be on sale throughout the weekend at DeLuca Field.