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| STRATFORD BRAKETTES CAPTURE 26TH NATIONAL ASA CHAMPIONSHIP
The Stratford Brakettes captured their 26th National A.S.A. Women's Major Fastpitch Championship Sunday, August 15th with a 1-0 victory over Storm USA of Lake Forest, CA, at Auburn University. Donna McLean's lined single to left field scored pinch-runner Jen Pawol with the game's only run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
McLean, an assistant softball coach at Stratford High School, battled losing pitcher Christine Doyle, working the count to 2-2 before she lined the game-winning hit down the line. Pawol had been inserted as a pinch-runner for Erica Sobel, who doubled with one out in the seventh inning.
The victory capped a 4-0 tournament for the Brakettes, who allowed only one run. It was the third straight national crown for Manager John Stratton's club, which tied the New York Yankees with their 26th national title.
"It was a great effort. The kids played extremely well and the teams we played were all worthy championship contenders," said Stratton.
In finishing the season with a 50-4 overall record, the Brakettes ended the year with 20 straight wins after they dropped a doubleheader to the U.S.A. Olympic team at DeLuca Field on July 17. In their last 19 games the Brakettes' pitchers allowed only one run, and that came in the team's 3-1 victory over the Carbondale, IL, Cougars Saturday in the winner's bracket finals.
The Brakettes opened the tournament last Wednesday with a 1-0 win over the Storm, last year's fifth place finisher in Pekin, IL. They followed it with a 2-0 triumph over the St. Louis, MO, Saints last Thursday in the semi-finals. The Saints were the fourth place team in 2003.
Picking up the win for the Brakettes was right-hander Stephanie VanBrakle, the University of Alabama sophomore. VanBrakle, 8-1, allowed six hits and struck out nine, including several in key situations when the Storm threatened.
Before the Brakettes scored the winning run, the Storm had a runner at third in the top of the seventh with one out. VanBrakle retired Stephanie Roberts on a comeback grounder and she struck out Ricki Walker to end the threat.
Sobel,who had two hits in the game, drilled a 1-2 pitch into the gap in right center with one out to start the crucial rally. Doyle struck out Teri Rooney before McLean, a 12-year veteran, stepped to the plate. Had McLean not delivered, the game would have gone to the international tie-breaker to begin the top of the eighth inning.
VanBrakle also worked out of a first and third situation in the sixth inning by getting a strikeout and infield popout.
The Brakettes threatened in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings but they failed to push across a run.
McLean, pitcher Michelle Green, shortstop Stephanie Best and first baseman Callie Piper were first-team ASA All-Americans. VanBrakle, Jessica Merchant and Teri Rooney were second-team picks. Green, who picked up two wins and a save, was chosen as the MVP of the tournament and also the Bertha Tickey Award winner, given to the top pitcher.
In the winners' bracket finals, Green struck out 12 batters as the Brakettes sent the 2-0 Cougars into the losers' bracket. The Brakettes jumped out to a 1-0 first inning lead when Rooney singled, was sacrificed to second base by Christine Botto and she scored on Merchants's RBI single to center.
Despite loading the bases with no outs in the third on singles by Botto, Best and Merchant, the Brakettes managed only one run off loser Tammy Neilson, when Green's grounder to third delivered Botto. Two infield popouts ended the threat.
Andrea Williams' single, a passed ball and Abby Johnson's double to left field narrowed the count to 2-1 in the fifth inning. Green fanned cleanup hitter Shannon McKeon to end the threat.
Best quieted the Cougars' surge as she led off the home fifth inning by sending Neilson's first pitch over the 220-foot left center field fence for her 10th home run of the year. "That ball would have cleared the 300-foot fence at DeLuca Field," said Stratton. "It was one of the hardest hit balls I've seen in my softball career."
Green, 9-1, retired the Cougars in order in the seventh, striking out the last two hitters to finish the game.
In the semi-finals, the Brakettes jumped on the Saints for a run in the top of the first inning when Rooney singled to center and was sacrificed to second base by Pawol. She reached third on Best's long fly ball to center field and she scored on a wild pitch.
Megan Biddle (14-0) started for the Brakettes and worked into the fifth inning when the 35-7 Saints had runners at first and second with no outs. Green came in to relieve and induced three infield groundouts to escape damage. Green allowed only a two-out single in the seventh inning to register the save.
Sobel gave the Brakettes an insurance run in the top of the seventh when she drove in pinch-runner Ellen Sarosy. Green led off with a double to left and Sarosy ran for her. Piper sacrificed her to third base before Sobel singled through a drawn-in infield.
In the opener against the Storm, who came in with a 22-16 record, the Brakettes scored the only run of the game in the second inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Rooney bounced a single up the middle to score Green. Green, who struck out 11, and Piper both had two hits.
STRATFORD BRAKETTES SWEEP QUEBEC REBELLES; TEAM PREPARES FOR GAMES WITH US OLYMPIC TEAM
STRATFORD July 12- International Week at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field is under way for the Stratford Brakettes and they responded in their normal fashion by sweeping four games from the Quebec Rebelles of Montreal. After winning a pair of close games Saturday night, the Brakettes scored a pair of mercy-rule games Sunday afternoon.
The Brakettes defeated the Rebelles, Canada’s top 23-and-under team, 8-0 and 10-2 Sunday following 2-1 and 4-1 triumphs Saturday night. Earlier in the week the Brakettes shut out the Stratford Breakers 18-and-under teams by scores of 7-0 and 8-0.
Entering Wedneday night’s (July 14) doubleheader with the Greece Olympic team, the Brakettes improved their overall record to 34-1, including a string of 24 straight wins. That record will be in jeopardy as Manager John Stratton’s club plays host to the United States Olympic team Saturday in a 6 p.m. DeLuca Field doubleheader. There are no tickets available for those games.
The Brakettes also have a twin-bill set for Sunday at 6 p.m. against the Stratford Seahawks.
"It should be quite a night against Team USA," said Stratton. "They are probably the best team in softball history. They’ve got so many weapons they should go through a metal detector before they allow them into DeLuca Field. You won’t find anyone in the world with a pitching staff, defense or power like Mike Candrea’s (Olympic team coach) club. I just hope our kids are not in awe of them."
The Olympic team visit is their final USA stop on their "Aiming for Athens" tour. The Olympic team has been together since last September and they have yet to lose a game. The Brakettes likely will see one, or possibly two, of their former pitchers Saturday night as Candrea will choose between Lisa Fernandez, Lori Harrigan and Cat Osterman, while Jenny Finch will be the favorite of the sellout crowd of 3,000 to work one of the games.
In Sunday’s games against the 28-11 Rebelles, the Brakettes combined for 21 hits and didn’t commit an error. Meghan Doonan (11-0) scattered five hits as they Brakettes broke open a 1-0 game with three runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth to "run-rule" the visitors. Frankie Spruce had three hits and three RBI in the 8-0 victory.
Megan Biddle, the former UConn star, upped her record to 9-0 in the nightcap with a four-hit effort. Jessica Merchant homered and Amanda Jensen drove in five runs to lead an 11-hit attack.
Erica Sobel’s RBI single in the sixth inning broke a 1-1 tie as the Brakettes won the Saturday opener 2-1. Doonan collected the win with a five-hit effort.
Biddle was the winning pitcher in the 4-1 nightcap as she struck out six and allowed four hits. Ellen Sarosy had two hits and Sobel hit a two-run homer, her first of the year after leading the 2003 Brakettes with 11.
Doonan struck out nine and walked three as she bested Stratford High All-Stater Jessica Dempsey in a 7-0 Brakettes’ victory last Wednesday night. Merchant went 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Callie Piper, Sarosy and Spruce all had two hits.
Stephanie VanBrakle (7-0) allowed only one hit and one baserunner, a bloop double by Deanna Scharn, and she struck out eight in an 8-0, five-inning second-game win. Stephanie Best went 3-for-3 with a double and home run, her sixth of the year, while Spruce and Sarosy both had two hits.
BRAKETTES BRIEFS- Right-handed pitcher Michelle Green of the University of Georgia arrived in town Tuesday after completing her summer school work. She is 3-0 on the year after pitching on the team’s Allentown trip Jun 11-13...VanBrakle returned to the University of Alabama last weekend, but the team is flying her in for the Team USA games. VanBrakle will join the Brakettes again in Auburn, AL, for the National Tournament, August 11-15…When the Brakettes scored 9 runs in the third inning of Sunday’s second game win over Quebec, all nine players in the starting lineup scored. That hadn’t been done since the Brakettes defeated the Washington Metros in an ASA tourney win in Redding, CA, in 1990…Pitcher Amanda Morin (4-0) of Florida Atlantic will not pitch again this season because of continuing arm pain that forced her to withdraw from school…Kristine Botto, who suffered a dislocated finger two weeks ago, was used as a pinch-runner over the weekend. Her playing status will be known later this week.
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BRAKETTES vs. GREECE National Team
WHEN- July 14. Doubleheader begins 7 p.m.
WHERE- Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field, Stratford.
WHY- Greece Olympic Team selected the Stratford Brakettes one of its stops on their "Road to Athens" tour. Greece team is host for the August Olympic Games, one of eight women’s softball teams competing for the gold medal.
WHO- Stratford Brakettes, defending two-time National ASA Champions, have won 25 National titles since 1958 and three World Championships. Brakettes feature an exciting new lineup and carry a 30-1 record into this weekend’s doubleheaders with the Quebec Rebelles of Montreal. Stephanie Best is the top hitter with a .454 average, 33 RBI and team-high 6 home runs. Manager John Stratton’s club, which has a 173-7 record in last three years, has a deep pitching staff led by Meghan Doonan (9-0), Megan Biddle (7-0), Stephanie VanBrakle (7-0) and Michelle Green (3-0). Greece Olympic team is managed by Arizona State University Coach Linda Wells, who is ranked 9th in all-time NCAA wins with 819, with 450 of them at ASU. She led Sun Devils to 2001 third place in College World Series. Team roster features an abundance of US Collegiate talent of Greek heritage. Stephanie Skegas-Maxwell of Nebraska, Sarah Farnworth of Cal Northridge and Iowa State’s Kristen Karanzias will handle the pitching. Assistant coach/outfielder for Greece Olympic team is Christa Dalakis of George Mason University. Dalakis played outfield for the 1997 Brakettes.
HISTORY- Stratford is recognized as the "Softball Capitol of the United States", thanks to the Brakettes’ illustrious 58-year history. Brakettes hosted the 2000 Olympic Team and will host the USA Olympic Team Saturday, July 17 at DeLuca Field. That game is a sell-out. The Brakettes played half of the Olympic field in last year’s Canada Cup in Vancouver. They scored two wins over China, the 2000 Silver Medalists in Sydney, Australia, and also eliminated host Canada before bowing to the USA Olympic Team. Softball was not played in Greece before 1999, but thanks to the International Softball Federation the Greek Team figures to make a solid showing in Athens.
TICKETS- Stratford Brakettes regular season prices will be in effect. Adults tickets are $4 and Seniors/Children $3. Brakettes Booster Club passes and complimentary passes will be honored. Brakettes season program books, t-shirts, caps and visors will be on sale throughout the doubleheader.
The Greece team also will have souvenirs for sale. For additional information, call the Stratford Brakettes (203) 378-7262.
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STRATFORD BRAKETTES RETURN HOME AFTER TOPTON TOURNEY WIN TO FACE BREAKERS 18-U TEAM, LED BY SHS ALL-STATER JESS DEMPSEY
STRATFORD July 7- The Stratford Brakettes return to action tonight (Wednesday, July 7) when they entertain the Stratford Breakers 18-Under team in a doubleheader beginning at 7 o’clock at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field.
Manager John Stratton’s club enters the games with a 28-1 record after sweeping five games to win the championship of the annual Topton, PA, July 4th tournament last weekend. Overall, the defending two-time National ASA champion Brakettes have won 18 straight games.
In capturing the Topton Tournament, the Brakettes beat the host VIPs twice on Sunday to win the title. In the title game the Brakettes won 4-3 on Amanda Jensen’s RBI single in the top of the sixth inning. Megan Biddle (7-0) picked up the win in relief of starter Meghan Doonan. Earlier in the day, Stephanie VanBrakle (6-0) tossed a three-hitter as the Brakettes blanked Topton 8-0 in the winner’s bracket finale.
En route to the team’s second title in three years at Topton, the Brakettes blanked Harrisburg, PA 10-0, the New Jersey Divas (defending ASA 23-Under champions) 2-0, and the B.A.T.S. of Hopewell Junction, NY, 6-0.
VanBrakle, who also stopped the Divas, was the tournament’s Most Outstanding Pitcher, while Jessica Merchant was the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Jensen joined them on the all-tournament team.
Tonight’s action starts a 16-game home stand for the Brakettes, who will face the Quebec Rebelles of Canada Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at noon in doubleheaders. The Rebelles are Canada’s top 23-Under team. Next Wednesday (July 14 at 7 p.m.), the Brakettes host the Greece Olympic Team, which is dominated by America collegiate talent and coached by Arizona State’s Linda Wells. One member of the Greek team, which will host the Athens Olympics in August, is Krista Dalakis, who played for the Brakettes in 1997. The Brakettes complete their "International Week" on July 17 in a twin-bill with the US Olympic Team.
Tickets for the Quebec Rebelles and Greece games will be on sale at the field the day of the games. They are $4 for adults and $3 for children/students.
Central Florida University standout Stephanie Best (.424) continues to lead the Brakettes at the plate with a .424 batting average. She also leads in hits (36), RBI (29) and home runs (5). Kristine Botto, who has missed the last eight games with an injury, is expected back tonight. She owns a .412 average. Jensen raised her batting mark to .379 and leads the club with 22 runs scored. Merchant (.357) has 16 RBI, 30 hits and a team-high six triples.
Other leading hitters include center fielder Teri Rooney (.356), Erica Sobel (.333), Callie Piper (.324) and Ellen Sarosy (.305).
The Stratford Breakers are one of the region’s top 18-and-under ballclubs. Coached by Mark Fawver, an assistant at Stratford High, the Breakers are led by Stratford High All-State pitcher Jessica Dempsey and Lauralton Hall star Sam Keltos.
BRAKETTES CAPTURE TOPTON TOURNAMENT TITLE; TEAM PREPARES TO MEET INTERNATIONAL RIVALS
STRATFORD July 5- The Stratford Brakettes added another championship to their illustrious record as they captured the 36th annual Topton July 4th Invitational tournament by posting a 5-0 record last weekend at Lyons Park in Topton, PA.
Manager John Stratton’s club defeated the host Topton VIPs twice Sunday to conclude a 5-0 tournament run and improve their overall mark to 28-1 heading into their Wednesday (July 7) game against the Stratford Breakers 18-Under team at DeLuca Field. The team has won 18 straight games since losing at home June 18.
In the championship game the Brakettes built a 3-0 lead and then withstood a VIP rally to post a 4-3 victory. Earlier in the day the Brakettes blanked Topton 8-0. The VIPs came out of the loser’s bracket to defeat B.A.T.S. of Hopewell Junction, NY, by a 4-2 margin in the loser’s bracket finale.
The Brakettes opened the tourney on Friday night with a 10-0 win over Harrisburg, PA, before they downed the New Jersey Divas 2-0 in Saturday morning’s quarter-finals. The Divas captured the ASA 23 & Under title last year. In the semifinals, the Brakettes blanked the B.A.T.S. 6-0.
In completing their second unbeaten weekend in Pennsylvania in a month (earlier the Brakettes were 6-0 in mid-June), the Brakettes also extend their winning streak to 24 games against the VIPs, dating back to July 1999.
Beginning Saturday night, when the Brakettes host the Quebec Rebelles of Canada, they will play eight straight games against international competition. The Brakettes and Rebelles clash at 7 p.m. Saturday at DeLuca Field and 12 noon Sunday. On Wednesday (July 14), the Brakettes will face the Greece Olympic team in a 7 p.m. doubleheader. Greece is the home team for the eight-team Olympic tournament that begins in August in Athens. Tickets for the twin-bill are $4 for adults and $3 for children/senior citizens.
The Brakettes vs. Team USA doubleheader on Saturday, July 17, that is sponsored by Stratford Softball Tournament, Inc., is a sellout. The teams meet at 6 p.m. at DeLuca Field.
"I was very pleased with the way we performed," said Stratton. "It’s tough when you have to spend the entire day at the ballpark waiting to play in that heat. The kids did a great job. They’re really starting to put it together."
Michigan shortstop Jessica Merchant was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, while University of Alabama pitcher Stephanie VanBrakle was the Most Outstanding Pitcher in the tournament. Joining them on the All-Tournament team was infielder Amanda Jensen. VanBrakle picked up wins over the Divas and Topton in the first game Sunday to raise her record to 6-0.
Jensen’s single to right field drove in Frankie Spruce with the go-ahead run in the finals. Jensen’s double and Stephanie Best’s RBI single made it 1-0 in the first inning and Merchant delivered two runs in the second frame for a 3-0 lead. Topton reached starter Meghan Doonan in the third and fourth frames and Stratton brought in Megan Biddle (7-0) in relief.
VanBrakle struck out nine and walked two as the Brakettes sent Topton into the loser’s bracket Sunday morning. She also had a double. Erica Sobel was the offensive standout with a 4-for-4 performance and two runs scored. Teri Rooney went 2-for-4 with a three-run double in the sixth inning. Merchant hit her second home run of the season, while Callie Piper had three hits and two runs scored and Donna McLean added a pair of hits.
Biddle scattered three hits and got seven B.A.T.S. players on strikes. Killian Roessner led the 12-hit attack with a 3-for-4 performance. Jensen, Jen Pawol and Spruce all had two hits, while Best and Merchant belted triples.
In the victory over the Divas, VanBrakle struck out five and didn’t allow a walk. The Brakettes scored both of their runs in the home fifth on RBI singles by Best and Merchant. Rooney made a clutch running catch in the seventh inning for the second out after the Divas had runners on first and second base.
Doonan won her eighth straight game in Friday’s opener against Harrisburg as she allowed two hits. Best was 3-for-3 with a triple and three RBI, while Merchant had two triples and two RBI. McLean and VanBrakle also had triples with VanBrakle collecting two RBI. Roessner added an RBI double.
BRAKETTES SWEEP SIX GAMES; PREPARE FOR TOPTON JULY 4TH TOURNAMENT
STRATFORD June 28- The Stratford Brakettes travel to Topton, PA, this weekend for the 36th annual Fourth of July Invitational Tournament. They open the double-elimination event Friday night against Harrisburg, PA, and play continues throughout the weekend.
Manager John Stratton’s club last played in the Topton tournament in 2002 and they captured the title with five shutout victories. The Brakettes, who play host to the XTreme Chaos Wednesday night (June 30), boast a 21-1 record and they flexed their offensive muscles last week in rolling to six victories and outscoring the opposition by 45-2.
Falling prey to the Brakettes’ offensive explosion were the Stratford Breakers 23U, B.A.T.S. of Hopewell Junction, NY, and the Connecticut Classics.
In the Sunday doubleheader sweep over the Classics, first-year pitcher Meghan Doonan finally surrendered a run (unearned) in a 6-1 first-game win. The Brakettes jumped on loser Barb LaFogg for four runs in the first inning and finished with nine hits. Jen Pawol and Amanda Jensen had two hits for the Brakettes.
Stephanie Best, Megan Biddle, Callie Piper and Frankie Spruce had RBI in the first inning rally. In the fourth inning, Donna McLean drove in Jensen with a single and Jensen delivered Pawol, who doubled, with a single in the fifth inning. Doonan struck out six to up her record to 6-0.
University of Alabama All-America pitcher Stephanie VanBrakle (3-0) tossed her first no-hitter of the season in the Brakettes’ 5-0 nightcap win. She also struck out 12 and the only Classic to reach base in the fifth inning (Janelle Kern), via VanBrakle’s error, was erased on a double play ground ball.
The Brakettes did all their scoring in the first three innings off Seymour High grad Shelby Slie, who allowed 11 hits in five innings. She didn’t walk or strikeout a Brakette.
Teri Rooney, Jessica Merchant, Jensen and McLean all had two hits for the Brakettes, with Merchant’s single in the first driving in two runs. Ellen Sarosy, Jensen and McLean had the other RBI.
Last Saturday night saw the Brakettes dispose of the B.A.T.S. as they combined for 21 hits in the doubleheader win. Doonan won the first game, while Megan Biddle (5-0) was the victor in the second game as the Brakettes won by scores of 5-0 and 11-1.
BRAKETTES RETURN TO ACTION SATURDAY
Stratford hosts B.A.T.S., Classics this weekend
STRATFORD June 26- The Stratford Brakettes return to action tonight (Saturday) at 7 when they host the B.A.T.S. of Hopewell Junction, N.Y, in a doubleheader at DeLuca Field. Sunday night at 6 the Brakettes will host the Connecticut Classics in another doubleheader.
After having seen two lengthy winning streaks snapped June 18 in a first-game 2-1 loss to the Long Island Angels, the Brakettes completed the weekend by winning five straight games and then adding a pair of shutout victories over the Stratford Breakers on Wednesday night.
Entering the weekend series, the Brakettes carry a 17-1 record. The Angels' win ended a 94-game DeLuca Field win streak and a cumulative 43-game win streak.
Pacing the youthful Brakettes at the plate has been Stephanie Best of Fort Mills, S.C. The University of Central Florida shortstop tops the team with a .392 batting average and team-high totals in home runs (4) and RBIs (19). She also has played exceptionally well in the field for manager John Stratton's club.
Following Best in batting average is outfielder Kristine Botto (.357), center fielder Teri Rooney (.344), catcher Callie Piper (.327), outfielder Ellen Sarosy (.317) of Fairfield University, shortstop/third baseman Jessica Merchant (.313) of Michigan and second baseman Erica Sobel (.304).
Stratton has used six pitchers thus far with Wallingford's Meghan Doonan (4-0), ex-UConn star Megan Biddle (4-0) and Amanda Morin (4-0) the leaders.
The B.A.T.S. are a veteran ballclub led by Syracuse graduate Tara DiMaggio, who has given the Brakettes fits over the years. Last year DiMaggio was 6-1 with a 2.57 ERA as the B.A.T.S. finished with an 11-5 record and won the KARS Aces tournament in Canada.
BRAKETTES REGISTER SIX SHUTOUTS IN PENNSYLVANIA; TEAM RETURNS HOME FOR WEEKEND SERIES FRIDAY
STRATFORD June 14- The Stratford Brakettes returned from a six-game Pennsylvania road trip last weekend without a scratch. Manager John Stratton’s Brakettes swept doubleheaders from the Allentown Pates, Topton VIPs and Lehigh Valley Lady Gators all via the shutout route to improve their record to 10-0.
The Brakettes beat the Pates 2-0 and 7-0 and shutout the VIPs 7-0 and 8-0. In the finale against the Lady Gators, the Brakettes won by scores of 9-0 and 4-0
While newcomers Meghan Doonan of Wallingford and University of Georgia ace Michelle Green were keeping the opposition hitters at bay, the Brakettes’ bats woke up and came to life in dramatic fashion, prompting Stratton to believe the team will contend for another national title.
"I was a bit worried after our opening weekend performance," said Stratton. "Although we won four games we didn’t really hit the ball. But the bats were making noise this past weekend and combined with our pitching and defense, the outlook for the season is a lot brighter."
This weekend the Brakettes play three doubleheaders at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field. They begin on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. against the Long Island Angels. The Brakettes host the Adirondack Ice Saturday at 7 p.m. and the Stratford Seahawks Sunday at 6 p.m.
The Brakettes now have won 43 straight games dating back to last year’s loss at the Lady Gators. Their DeLuca Field streak stands at 94 straight victories.
STRATFORD BRAKETTES vs. LEHIGH VALLEY GATORS
Sunday, June 13, 2004
At Allentown, PA
ALLENTOWN, PA- The Stratford Brakettes completed their Pennsylvania swing by scoring a pair of wins over the Lehigh Valley Lady Gators Sunday here by scores of 9-0 and 4-0.
University of Georgia standout Michelle Green (3-0) hurled a four-hitter with 13 strikeouts in the opener, while former Lyman Hall All-Stater Meghan Doonan completed a banner weekend debut with the Brakettes by tossing a one-hitter with five strikeouts in the nightcap. Doonan retired the last 15 batters she faced.
The defending two-time National ASA Champion Brakettes swept their six-game road trip without allowing a run. The revamped Brakettes, who return only four players from last year’s 65-5 club, have outscored the opposition 43-1 in their 10-0 start. The Brakettes now have won 43 straight games dating back to last year’s loss in Allentown against the Lady Gators by 1-0.
In the first game against the Gators, Stephanie Best, Callie Piper, Frankie Spruce, Amanda Jensen and Ellen Sarosy all had two hits. Best, Teri Rooney and LSU-bound Killian Roessner all drove in two runs. Manager John Stratton’s club exploded for seven runs in the top of the first inning. Green had an outstanding weekend allowing only six hits and striking out 35 batters.
Doonan overpowered the Lady Gators in the nightcap and ex-Fairfield standout Sarosy scored the only run she would need in the first inning, scoring on Piper’s sacrifice fly to left field. Michigan shortstop Jessica Merchant went 4-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, while Piper drove in three runs and Erica Sobel the other.
The Brakettes open a six-game weekend series Friday night against the Long Island Angels in a 7:30 p.m. doubleheader at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field, where they have won 94 straight games. The Brakettes host the Adirondack Ice Saturday at 7 p.m. and the Stratford Seahawks Sunday at 6 p.m.
STRATFORD BRAKETTES OPEN 2004 SEASON SATURDAY NIGHT AT DELUCA FIELD AGAINST THE ALLENTOWN PATRIOTS AT 7
STRATFORD June 2- When the Stratford Brakettes open their 2004 season Saturday night at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field, area fans will have trouble identifying the players even with a scorecard. The reason is simple. The Brakettes have undergone a major facelift for their 58th consecutive season of play, which begins Saturday at 7 p.m. against the Allentown, PA, Pates. The Brakettes host the Stratford Seahawks at 6 p.m. Sunday.
What no team was capable of accomplishing during the past two years finally materialized in the off-season. The formation of the professional women’s softball league has resulted in 10 members of the defending two-time National ASA champion Stratford Brakettes signing with the fledgling circuit. In addition, two members of the team, Cat Osterman and Kelly Kretschman, are playing on the USA Olympic Team, and three others, Alica Smith, Robyn King and Emily Robustelli, opted to play professionally in Italy.
"It will be a challenge," said Manager John Stratton, who recently returned following another successful season at Florida Atlantic University where he is the assistant coach to ASA Hall of Famer and ex-Brakette Joan Joyce. "For the most part, this will be a very young team. But don’t get the idea they are not talented because we’ve got a lot of kids who can really play the game."
While the majority of the Brakettes’ roster will be getting acquainted with DeLuca Field for the first time this weekend, four Brakettes return from the teams that posted marks of 78-1 and 65-5 resulting in consecutive ASA championships.
Leading the returnees is veteran outfielder Donna McLean, who enters her 12th campaign with the Brakettes. The all-time leader in outfield assists for the Brakettes, McLean carries a .300 career batting average. Third baseman Ellen "Frankie" Spruce is back for her eighth season. Spruce hit .287 last year and provided some power with five home runs and 32 RBI.
Catcher/outfielder Keri Stratton returns for her seventh year. Stratton hit .336 last year and scored 34 runs as an excellent leadoff hitter. She boasts a .372 career batting average. The final returnee is infielder Erica Sobel, the fourth year Brakette who had a breakout season in 2003. Sobel, a University of Maine standout, led the team with 11 home runs last year. She hit .317 and drove in 46 runs. She will move to second base this season.
The Brakettes' revamped pitching staff will consist of four righthanders in 6-foot-2 Amanda Morin (20-8, 1.42 ERA) of Gansevoort, NY and Florida Atlantic University; 6-foot Michelle Green (19-5, 1.86 ERA) of Duluth, GA, and the University of Georgia; 5-9 Stephanie VanBrakle (17-10, 1.92 ERA) of Chambersburg, PA, and the University of Alabama; and 5-10 Megan Biddle, who pitched the Connecticut Classics to the 2001 ASA 23-and-Under crown and enjoyed a standout career at the University of Connecticut. Biddle also was the last player cut from the New York Juggernauts of the pro league. "We’ve got a pretty solid pitching staff. All of them can bring the ball and dominate the opposition," said Stratton.
Handling the pitchers will be Florida Atlantic catcher Callie Piper of Wichita, KS, Jen Pawol, a former Hofstra standout who played with Topton, PA, VIPs last year, and scholastic standout Killian Roessner of Wall, NJ, who will attend Louisiana State University in September. Keri Stratton will see some time behind the plate, but most of her activity will be in the outfield or as the designated hitter.
In addition to Spruce and Sobel, the Brakettes have three outstanding infield additions in University of Central Florida shortstop Stephanie Best, University of Michigan shortstop Jessica Merchant and Olivet Nazarene University (IL) All-America Amanda Jensen, who plays shortstop and outfield. Outfield newcomers include Teri Rooney of UMass, Fairfield University’s Ellen Sarosy and former Connecticut Classics speedster Kristine Botto of UMass Lowell.
"We're pretty happy with our roster, but we still may add a player or two," said Stratton. "Right now we’ve just got to get everyone on the same page and play ball."
The Stratford Brakettes are proud to welcome the Stratford Seahawks organization into their softball family for the 2004 season.
STRATFORD SEAHAWKS ORGANIZATION
Jim Dillon- President
12 Under
Head Coach- Jeff Babineau
Assistant- Mike Repko
Assistant- Richard Figmic
Assistant- Trish Bogen
14 Under
Head Coach- Dick Yitts
Assistant- John Howard
Assistant- Gary Chomic
16 Under
Head Coach- Ted Kunzik
Assistant- Bill Horvath
Assistant- Jim Rickel
Assistant- Bill Coppola
18 Under
Head Coach- Mike Sansone
Assistant- Ray Rasza
Assistant- Mike Arvoy
Assistant- Joe Cubelotti
18 Under
Coach- Ed Daniels
Coach- Tony Sproviero
Coach- Tom Woodman
23 Under
GM/Coach- Tom D’Amico
Head Coach- Gladys Crespo
Assistant- Sky Livingston
Assistant- Kari Rostowsky
Assistant- Erica Buonocore
Stratford Seahawks 2004 Schedule
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STRATFORD BRAKETTES ANNOUNCE DATES FOR SUMMER CLINICS
STRATFORD- The Stratford Brakettes women’s fastpitch softball team has announced its 2004 summer clinic schedule. The defending two-time National ASA champions will conduct six clinics at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field and the Short Beach Recreation Complex.
Brakettes Manager John Stratton is the clinic director. Regarded as one of the nation’s top pitching clinicians, Stratton also serves as the assistant softball coach at Florida Atlantic University, working with ASA Hall of Famer Joan Joyce. Assisting Stratton at the clinics will be the members of the Brakettes coaching staff and the majority of their players.
The clinic consists of two identical Beginning Pitching sessions, an Advanced Pitching session, a one-day Catching clinic, and Offense/Hitting and Defense/Fielding sessions. With the exception of catching, the others are two days and all sessions run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Beginning Pitching is set for July 1-2 (session #1) and July 5-6 (session #2). Advanced Pitching (session #3) is July 8-9 and the catching (session #4) is July 10. Offense/Hitting (session #5) is July 12-13 and Defense/Fielding (session #6) is July 15-16. The pitching and catching clinics will be at DeLuca Field, with the Offense/Hitting and Defense/Fielding at Short Beach.
Registration for all clinics except catching is $65. The one-day catching clinic fee is $35. Discounts are available for attending multiple sessions.
Complete information and a link to a printable application form can be found on the Clinics page.
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BRAKETTES WILL BE BACK THIS SUMMER WITH A YOUNGER TEAM
SEAHAWKS JOIN ORGANIZATION
BOOSTER CLUB TICKETS ON SALE
STRATFORD March 16- Yes, Virginia, there will be a Stratford Brakettes in 2004!
For those in doubt, fret no more, the two-time defending National ASA Women’s Major Fastpitch champion Brakettes will be back again this spring. Despite losing two key starters to the USA Olympic Team and the majority of their team to the fledgling National Professional Fastpitch League, Brakettes management is confident they will once again field a very competitive ballclub.
"Our goals are the same," said veteran field manager John Stratton. "However, we’ve had to build from another direction. For the most part, the Brakettes will be a very young team. We will be talented, but the bulk of it will come from the Division I collegiate ranks across the country."
With eight pro teams set to begin play after Memorial Day, the Brakettes and their chief rivals for the National title, the California Hurricanes and Teamsmith Nationals, all were wiped out by the December professional draft.
Pitcher Cat Osterman and outfielder Kelly Kretschman, the MVP of last year’s National championship tournament in Pekin, IL, are starters on the USA Olympic Team, which will play the Brakettes at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field July 17 in their final pre-Athens tune-up. Drafted by the pro league were pitchers Kaci Clark, Danielle Henderson and Nikki Myers, catchers Germaine Fairchild and Sara Jewett, infielders Kellie Wilkerson, Robyn King, Karrie Rider and Lea Mishlan, and outfielders Alicia Smith, Heather Wright and Jen Smith.
"John Stratton already has commitments from eight outstanding newcomers," said General Manager Bob Baird. "He still is looking to sign four to five more players. The Stratford Brakettes and our sponsor, David Carpenter, are committed to fielding a highly competitive team that will contend for the national championship. We believe the players we are bringing in this year fit that description."
In another major development for the 2004 season, the Brakettes are no longer sponsoring the Connecticut Classics. Instead, the Stratford Brakettes have adopted an entire organization. Joining the Brakettes’ Softball Family will be the seven teams of the Stratford Seahawks organization, who now are officially affiliated with the defending national champs.
The schedule for the 2004 season is almost complete. Once again it will feature all of the top state and regional teams and between 18-20 home playing dates. The season opener is set for Saturday, June 5 at DeLuca Hall of Field, where the Brakettes have won over 520 games since calling it home in 1988.
Once again the Brakettes are offering their season Booster Club pass for $50. It is good for all Brakettes and Seahawks home games at DeLuca Field. Booster Club members also receive a free season program book and ticket to the annual Booster Club picnic. Please make checks payable to Brakettes Softball and send to Bob Baird, 185 Lordship Road, Stratford, CT 06615. For additional information, call our office at (203) 378-7262, or follow us on the web at www.brakettes.com.
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