Stratford Brakettes Open Title Defense Wednesday in WMS National Tournament

STRATFORD - Aug 3 - Two pool play games are set for Wednesday night in the 13th annual Women's Major Softball National Championship at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field. The defending National champion Stratford Brakettes (36-2) host the CT Eliminators 18+ at 6:30 p.m. and the Junior Brakettes (27-12), riding a 12-game win streak, play the CT Rogue at 8:15 p.m.

A total of nine pool play games will take place Thursday, six at DeLuca, and three at Short Beach Rec Complex followed by Opening night ceremonies at DeLuca Field at 6 p.m. A concert by the Magnificent Brass and Coastal Chordsmen vocal group will precede the traditional Parade of Teams onto the field at 5 p.m.

Stratford Brakettes Manager John Stratton will present the annual Brakettes Scholarship to Stratford High School senior softball player Hayden Smith. Throwing out the ceremonial first pitch is Martha Baird, wife of the late Brakettes long-time announcer Harold 'Hal' Baird, who passed away in December following 38 years of service.

A total of 32 games will be played in the tournament, which is sponsored by Nelco of Milford, CT. Bracket play highlights Friday's action, all at DeLuca Field, with no team eliminated before Saturday. All games at DeLuca Field will be streamed on the Brakettes Softball network, www.brakettes.com.

Thursday's day schedule at DeLuca Field features the CT Impact 23U v. Diamond Zone, 8:30 a.m., Select 18U Brakettes v. Maryland Chill, 10:15 a.m., in addition to games at 12 noon and 1:45p.m. The schedule at Short Beach has Stripes & Strikes of Hazelton, PA, against the CT Eliminators Women, last year's WMS runner-up, at 9:30 a.m. followed by the CT Eliminators 18+ against the Maine Pride at 11:15 a.m. and a loser of earlier games at 1 p.m.

In the evening session the Stratford Brakettes and Maine Pride meet at 6:30 p.m. It is possible the 8:15 p.m. game could feature the Junior Brakettes against the Select Brakettes (29-7-1), provided they both win earlier games.

Tournament passes will be on sale Wednesday night and Thursday. All youth league players will be admitted free of charge for the entire tournament. They just need to wear their team jersey. Gates open Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

The Stratford Brakettes recently surpassed the 4,000-career win mark in their 75th season. Stratton has a dynamic one-two pitching punch in Ali DuBois (13-0, 0.08 ERA, and 153 strikeouts) and Sarah Lawton (14-2, 0.79 ERA, and 154 strikeouts). Sam Schiebe has compiled a 6-0 record after being promoted from the Junior Brakettes at the end of June.

Kaitlin Flood (.482, 24 RBI) leads the team in hitting, followed by Briana Marcelino (.469). Marcelino (35 RBI) and Lauren Rende (37 RBI) lead the team with eight home runs while Jana Sanden (36 RBI) has seven.

Jenna Geffert (4-0), Sophia DiCocco (9-4) and Maddie Procyk lead the pitching staff while Abby Ota is the top hitter with a .467 average followed by Kiana Robinson, DiCocco and Cassi Barbato, all above .400. Barbato has hit eight home runs and driven in 30 runs and Procyk has seven homers and 27 RBI to lead the Junior Brakettes.

The Select Brakettes have won two tournaments and finished runners-up in two others. They have a dynamic mound staff in 6-1 Addy Bullis, Payton Doiron, Kelly Pritchard, and Jordan Rossi. Notre Dame High All-Stater Mac Stone-Folmar leads the team at bat, with Lea White, Sara Rende, and Lucy Puskas are other top batters.