BRAKETTES BEAT QUEBEC REBELLES 6-0 AND 4-1

May 27, 2007 STRATFORD- Brandice Balschmiter and Candice Freel both registered their second victories of the season as the Stratford Brakettes defeated the Quebec Rebelles 6-0 and 4-1 Sunday at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field to complete a four-game weekend series sweep.

The defending National ASA women’s fastpitch champions relied upon an 11-hit attack in Sunday’s first game. Mandie Fishback supplied the power with a single and home run, her second of the year. Riannon Thomas was a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI, while Denise Denis had two hits, including a triple, and Amber Radomski drove in two runs with a single and sacrifice fly.

Balschmiter, the 6-foot-1 UMass junior pitcher, stopped the Rebelles on two hits and she struck out nine batters.

In the second game, Quebec took a 1-0 first inning lead on an outfield error. The Brakettes quickly regained control in the second inning off loser Guylaire Charbeaneau, who was victimized by two infield errors. Balschmiter, the designated player for the Brakettes, lashed a two-run single to right center and a third run scored on an error. Balschmiter also drove in the final run in the third when she was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Freel, who pitched for the NPF Philadelphia Force last year, allowed five hits and she struck out eight batters.

The Brakettes return to action Saturday, June 2 at 7 p.m. against the Stratford Breakers at DeLuca Field.