Brakettes Ring in Alumnae Weekend

Local softball legends the Stratford Brakettes notched their 30th and 31st victories on Thursday night, completing a doubleheader sweep against the New Jersey Pride beneath the lights at Frank Deluca Hall of Fame Field in Stratford.

The first game, a 9-0 clubbing, was called after five innings by the mercy rule. Starting pitcher Rachele Fico (13-0) did not allow a hit. Ashley Waters and Mandie Fishback homered for the Brakettes. The Brakettes won the second game by a score of 4-0. Ashley Waters homered again, as did Carly Normandin. Both picked up their sixth home runs of the year. The winning pitcher was Stephanie Call, who went the distance to record her sixth victory in a gutsy performance.

“We’re doing well,” said Brakettes coach John Stratton, who added that while the team hit alright in the first game, he thought they could have hit better in the second.

The team is doing well, indeed. The numbers for this squad are staggering. With the sweep on Thursday, the Brakettes have now pitched 22 shutouts in their last 23 games. They’ve allowed only one run in the last 143 innings. 

The Brakettes have not lost a contest yet this season. They have not lost a contest, in fact, in 87 straight games.

The team with more national titles than the New York Yankees, at 29, ushered in with the doubleheader what promises to be a spectacular weekend of memories at Deluca Field - Alumnae Weekend. The Brakettes return for a weekend of doubleheaders Friday night against the CT Mirage U-23. Doubleheaders are also scheduled for Saturday and Sunday against the NYC Havoc.

At least one hundred former Brakettes will be in attendance, including many members of the 1947 inaugural team. Highlights this weekend will include a Home Run Derby on Friday, and a two-inning old-timers game slated to be played between games on Saturday. A fan meet-and-greet is also scheduled to take place between 4:30 and 6 p.m. on Saturday. Autographs will be signed. Then, an opening ceremony will honor Alumnae before the 7 p.m. start.

For those who can’t make the meet-and-greet on Saturday, there will be another on Sunday when the gates open at noon. The first 50 fans in attendance on Sunday will also receive a coupon for a complimentary All Time Brakettes photo.

The Brakettes are fresh off of their Lyons Ballfield Fourth of July tournament victory in Pennsylvania where they defeated Pennsylvania teams the Shockers and Krunch, as well as the Havoc. It should make for an interesting matchup this weekend when the redemption- seeking Havoc roll into town.

The Brakettes - comprised of high school, college and ex-college players - are also looking ahead at their next major tournament, the third annual Women’s Major Softball National Championships. It will be a 16-team tournament and will take place at Frank Deluca Hall of Fame Field and Short Beach Recreation Complex August 4-7.

For a complete list of scheduled Alumnae Weekend events, please visit the Brakettes website by clicking here.