BRAKETTES RALLY FROM 4-0 DEFICIT IN FIRST GAME AND SWEEP DOUBLEHEADER FROM DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

June 23, 2007 - Demonstrating their ability to charge back from a 4-0 deficit, the Stratford Brakettes kept their unbeaten record intact as they swept their second doubleheader in as many nights from the Dominican Republic National softball team by scores of 8-5 and 5-1 Saturday night at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field.

“The kids were tested, and they responded like champions,” said Manager John Stratton. “It’s not easy coming back from a big deficit, especially against a good team like the Dominican Republic.”

The Dominican Republic jumped on starter Brandice Balschmiter for three earned runs in the top of the first inning as a leadoff walk to Karina de los Santos and one-out single by Luisa Nunez preceded Geovanny Nunez’ lined three-run home run over the 230-foot center field fence. They added another run in the third as Yaritza Rodriguez’ fielder’s choice grounder plated de los Santos.

At that point the Brakettes’ bats, combined with some shoddy fielding by the Dominicans, enabled Stratford to cut the deficit to 4-2 after three frames. Allison Twarowski reached on a one-out fielder’s choice before Amber Radomski was safe on a bunt attempt that was thrown into right field. An error and wild pitch, following Sari-Jane Jenkins’ single, allowed the runs to score.

In the Brakettes fifth frame, singles by Chelsea Bramlett, Jenkins and Mandie Fishback (RBI) and an error tied the game at 4-all before Courtney Bures’ RBI double made it 5-4 Brakettes. The Dominicans tied the game at 5-5 on another Balschmiter wild pitch before the Brakettes erupted for three runs in the sixth inning.

Pinch-hitter Beth Boden singled to start the rally before Bramlett reached on a single. Jenkins moved up both runners on a sacrifice bunt and Fishback’s sac fly to right field broke the tie. An error and Steph Hill’s single accounted for the final two runs.

Balschmiter (11-0) allowed three hits and struck out six batters, while Jenkins was 3-for-3 and Bramlett added two hits.

Candice Freel (11-0) had a no-hitter through three innings as the Brakettes built a 3-0 lead with a run in each at bat. After the Dominican Republic scored a run in the fourth, Freel retired the final 10 batters and finished with a two-hit, six strikeout night.

Bramlett’s single, stolen base and Bures’ RBI fielder’s choice ground out to shortstop gave Stratton’s club a 1-0 lead in the first. Allison Twarowski walked, moved to third on Whitney Mollica’s single and scored on a wild pitch for a 2-0 lead through two innings. Boden’s RBI single plated Bures with a run in the third inning.

The Brakettes added two runs in the home sixth on Mandie Fishback’s two-run double to left center field.

Bramlett and Mollica both had two hits as the Brakettes had eight off losing pitcher Nunez.