BRAKETTES, JUNIOR BRAKETTES RENEW RIVALRY THURSDAY

June 23 - The safe bet at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field Thursday is to predict the Brakettes will win. Barring a tie, either the defending national champion Stratford Brakettes or the talented Junior Brakettes will prevail in the 7 p.m. opener of a doubleheader.

The teams first met on June 1, 2019 when the Junior Brakettes made their debut. And what a debut it was as they knocked off the Stratford Brakettes 3-1 in the first game of a doubleheader. Euphoria was short-lived as Manager John Stratton's Stratford Brakettes bounced back to win the nightcap and the next 15 in a row against Mary Sciglimpaglia's Junior team.

They still have another twin-bill on tap July 1 and both teams have doubleheaders against the Select Brakettes, the newest member of the Brakettes Softball family.

Thursday's games kick off another huge weekend of games with the Maryland Chill visiting DeLuca Field for six games with the Stratford and Junior Brakettes Friday through Sunday. The Select Brakettes captured the Summer Slam in Meriden last weekend, going 6-0. They return to Dunn Field as they participate in the Spartan Summer Spectacular Friday through Sunday.

Capping the weekend will be the annual nine-inning benefit game against the Stratford Fire Department. Stratford Brakettes pitcher Sarah Lawton and catcher Kaitlyn Flood will play for the Firemen, while a Junior Brakettes battery will play for Stratton's club. The Brakettes will feature players from both teams in the game. All proceeds, including the raffle, will go to the family of recently Fallen New Haven Firefighter Ricardo Torres, Jr. Donations will be accepted at the gate.