STRATFORD BRAKETTES HOST 12-TEAM NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 31, 2009 - STRATFORD- The inaugural Women's Major Softball National Championship tournament begins Thursday at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field and the Short Beach Recreation Complex. Twelve teams are entered in the tournament with each team playing two pool games Thursday. The double-elimination bracket play starts Friday with eight winner's bracket games on tap at DeLuca Field, beginning at 8 a.m.

There are a total of seven sessions in the tournament, which continues through August 9 with the championship game set for 12 noon at DeLuca with the “if necessary game” to follow immediately.

The Brakettes, who have won 28 National Championships in their 63-year history, will host the St. Louis Saints (14-7) Tuesday in a 7 p.m. doubleheader before ending the regular-season Wednesday with a single, nine-inning contest, followed by the tournament manager’s meeting at DeLuca Field.

Manager John Stratton’s Brakettes will face the NYC Havoc (13-7) at noon Thursday at DeLuca Field before meeting the Outten Trailblazers (21-7) of Blandon, PA, at 7 p.m. in their pool games. In addition to the Brakettes, the Stratford Breakers (28-8) are entered in the event. Pool play order of finish determines seeding into the double-elimination bracket.

Other tournament participants include: Topton, PA, VIPs (26-6); Lyons, PA, Spirit (20-17); New York Freedom (20-4); New York Raiders (23-9); St. Louis Saints; Connecticut Panthers (35-9); Western New York XTreme (21-8) of Buffalo; and B.A.T.S. Diamond Sports (32-12) of Hopewell Junction, NY.

All of the participants participated in ASA events last year, but opted to attend the WMS National Championships. The XTreme were runner-up in Buffalo last summer. The Freedom finished fourth and the Saints and VIPs tied for fifth in the ASA Women’s Major.

There are many outstanding players participating in the tourney, led by Topton’s power-hitting first baseman Steph Denlinger (.437), the MVP of the Topton July 4th Tournament. The VIPs relied on the pitching of Izzy Trottier and Denlinger’s bat to defeat the Brakettes twice, 2-0 and 2-1, thus ending a 53-game losing streak against the Brakettes dating back to 1999. Trottier is 18-3 on the year, while catcher Candace Clark and third baseman Lindsay Trottier and second baseman Teri DeFilippo are the other top VIP hitters. The VIPs have won all three tournaments they hosted this year, including the Ron Scheidt Memorial two weeks ago.

Coach Dave Lamberson’s Freedom, which came within one out of eliminating the Brakettes last year in Buffalo, is led by pitcher Jen Martinez, a member of the Puerto Rican National Team. The Freedom recently captured “The Big 16” Tournament in Garfield, NJ. They also were fourth in Topton and third in the Scheidt.

Despite losing four straight to the Brakettes July 18-19, the XTreme were in all four games and had their chances to win. Hartford’s Brittany Stratton and Fordham’s Chelsea Plimpton handle the pitching for the XTreme that captured the NASF Open Championship in Rochester last week. Buffalo State’s Niki Sabuda was a first team D-III All-America and she provides the power for the team.

The St. Louis Saints have been perennial National tourney participants. This year’s team placed third in the Bloomington, IL, Tournament and fifth in the USSSA World Series last weekend. Ashley Hill is the team’s top hitter. Saints’ Ed Martz is celebrating his 55th year of coaching women’s softball.

Gerry Picaso’s Raiders, who finished third in last year’s National Class A tourney, were runner-up to the VIPs in the Scheidt Tournament and second to the Freedom in Garfield while placing third in Topton. Pitchers Ashley Rampino (12-5) and Dara Desocio (7-2) share the mound duties, while Kat May-Hill, Crystal Vargas, and Rampino are the top hitters.

The Trailblazers captured the Reading, PA, League championship last week. Jodie Swavely (14-2) and former Brakettes pitcher Jenn (Huyett) Schroeder (5-0) are the top hurlers for Chris Schroeder’s team. Janelle Lynch (.428) and Megan Greiss (.423) are the leading hitters.

Coach Mark Fawver’s Breakers will be led by former SHS All-Stater and Southern Connecticut standout Jessica Dempsey, while Bunnell’s Sara Calgreen (AIC) is one of the team’s top hitters.

Tickets for the tournament are on sale at DeLuca Field during the last two regular-season dates and the box office will open at 7:15 a.m. Thursday. There are seven sessions and tournament passes are $35 (box seats), $30 (reserved with back rests), and $25 (first and third base bleachers). Tickets may be reserved by calling (203) 378-7262. Individual session tickets are $8 (box seats), $6 (reserved with back rests), and $5 (bleachers).