Brakettes Get First Victory in ‘Battle of the Sexes’

Members of the Stratford Brakettes and the Bridgeport Bluefish pose
for a group picture prior to Sunday night's contest.

BRIDGEPORT – On a beautiful summer Sunday night—unseasonably cool, which was a huge relief from last week’s heat wave—fans were treated to nine innings of competitive fastpitch softball as the Stratford Brakettes blanked the Bridgeport Bluefish, 2-0, before 3,107 fans at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. It was the first victory for the Brakettes in the four-year history of the exhibition, billed as the “Battle of the Sexes.”

“Finally,” joked former Masuk star and current Brakettes third baseman Tatum Buckley. Indeed, the Bluefish were victorious in the three previous installments of Battle of the Sexes, winning 2-1, 7-3, and 3-1 in 2014, ’15, ’16, respectively.

After a scoreless four innings to open the exhibition, the Brakettes broke the ice in the top of the fifth when Casey Harding drove home Megan Hodgton with an RBI single. In the top of the sixth, the Brakettes increased their advantage to 2-0 when Lauren Pitney would singled home Noel Lent.

And, to quote Bugs Bunny … “That’s all, folks!”

Brakettes catcher Hannah Cooper (99) and outfielder Valerie Suto take
a brief respite during the “Battle of the Sexes” game at the Ballpark
at Harbor Yard on Sunday. The Brakettes won for the first time, 2-0.

Starting pitcher Nicole Williams, Kaysee Talcik, Abby Abranson and Branice Balschmiter held the Bluefish to three hits in the nine-inning contest. Talcik picked up the win, while Balchmiter got the save, holding the Bluefish scoreless over the last three innings. Southpaw Nick French was tagged with the loss despite going the route, tossing nine innings of seven-hit ball.

“It’s something fun for the community,” said Bluefish general manager Paul Herrmann. “It’s got that local feel—the local softball team playing the local baseball team. It’s something different for the fans, something different for our players and their players.”

"It's a lot of fun," concurred Jonathan Albaladejo, the reigning Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year who got the chance to play first base on Sunday. In addition, Bluefish catcher Jose Gil played center field, while manager Luis Rodriguez pinch hit in the bottom of the eighth, then took to the field to play shortstop in the ninth.

Bluefish pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo, a first baseman on Sunday, jogs to
first during the "Battle of the Sexes." On Monday, Albaladejo, who was
named the Atlantic League's Pitcher of the Year in 2016, was signed by the
Mets' organization and will report to AAA Las Vegas.

Bob Baird, the Brakettes' longtime general manager, said his team looks forward to the yearly match-up. “That’s why I hope we both stay in business,” he said, referring to the tenuous finances of both teams.

“It’s a nice time,” continued Baird, who moonlights as athletic director at Stratford High. “I don’t think who wins or loses is important. We get people out here and expose them to both teams.”

“It’s something different,” noted Gil. That is true especially for the Bluefish, who may not be so familiar with the many subtle nuances that separate baseball and fastpitch softball. Case in point: two Bluefish were called out for leaving the base too soon during the contest.

The ’Fish now hit the road for a three- game series in York, Pa., vs. the Revolution. They return to the Ballpark at Harbor Yard for a three-game weekend set against their long-time arch-rivals, the Long Island Ducks, on Friday. First pitch will be at 7:12 p.m. Gates open at 6:12, p.m., and it will be “Bark in the Park” and “Dog Bandana Giveaway” night. Fans are invited to bring their four-legged friends out to the old ballgame. For further information, call 203-210-BLUE (2583) or visit BridgeportBluefish.com, or to purchase tickets online, CLICK HERE.

The Brakettes next contest will be on Saturday when they travel to Lyons, Penn., to challenge the Lyons Spirit in a doubleheader. First game starts at 7 p.m. The Brakettes will also host the ninth annual Women’s Major Softball National Championship to be held at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field from Aug. 10-13.

Albaladejo Signed By Mets

The Bluefish’s loss is the Mets’ gain as pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo has had his contract purchased by the New York Mets organization. He will report to AAA Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League immediately.

This season, Albaladejo started 16 games for the Bluefish. He has seven victories, a 4.44 ERA and a league-leading 103 strikeouts in 99.1 innings. In 2016, Albaladejo was named Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year after breaking the Bluefish franchise single-season record for wins with 15 and becoming the new Atlantic League single-season leader in strikeouts with 164.

“Jonathan has been our ace the past two seasons and instills a confidence in his teammates that is unparalleled,” said Bluefish GM Paul Herrmann. “We are so happy for him to receive this opportunity and wish him the best of luck in his journey.”

Albaladejo becomes the sixth Bluefish player to have his contract purchased by a Major League organization during the 2017 season.

LINE SCORE
	1	2	3		4	5	6		7	8	9			R	H	E
BRAKETTES	0	0	0		0	1	1		0	0	0			2	7	0
BLUEFISH	0	0	0		0	0	0		0	0	0			0	3	1
Batteries: Brakettes- Nicole Williams, Kaysee Talcik (3, W), Abby Abramson (5), Brandice Balschmiter (7) and Jenn Vazquez, Megan Hodgdon (4), Hannah Cooper (7); Bluefish- Nick French (L) and Alex Magliocco