Brakettes Sweep Set With Topton VIP's

July 14, 2007 - The Brakettes took a pair of games from the Topton VIP's on Saturday in Stratford by identical 8-0 tallies. The hometown favorites scored four in the sixth inning of the first game, ending the contest by way of the run rule. They tacked on two in the sixth of the nightcap, again shortening the game to six innings.

Katie Burkhart made her home debut for the Brakettes, pitching an abbreviated no-hitter, and striking out seven. She walked one, and allowed just one baserunner, by way of an error.

Sari-Jane Jenkins singled and scored a run in the first inning of the early game on Mandie Fishback's RBI single. The Brakettes had a chance to break it open early, but stranded runners at second and third at inning's end. Topton held the Brakettes to the 1-0 lead until the home fourth. Courtney Bures led off with a single, and took second after the line drive was misplayed in left field. Killian Roessner then laced an RBI double to bring home Bures, extending the lead to 2-0. Allison Twarowski reached on a bunt single, and Beth Boden doubled to bring home two more runs.

The sixth inning offensive explosion was started by Stephanie Hill, who singled with one out. Twarowski walked, and Boden singled to load the bases. Jenkins came within a few feet off ending the game with a walkoff grand slam, as her blast to right field sailed to the fence, but settled for a two-run double to put the Brakettes up 6-0. Denise Denis reached on an infield single, bringing Fishback to the plate. Fishback lined a two-run double, plating Boden and Jenkins, closing out the scoring at 8-0.

Candice Freel pitched the late game, also striking out seven. She walked none, and scattered three hits.

The Brakettes jumped out early in the second contest, scoring three runs in the first inning. Jenkins reached on an error, then scored on another during Fishback's sacrifice bunt attempt, leaving Fishback and Denis safe on base. Boden lined a shot to left center, which rolled to the fence, and drove in two more runs.

Twarowski doubled and scored in the second, and the lead held at 4-0 until the fifth. With two outs, Amber Radomski doubled to score Boden and Hill, and push the lead to 6-0.

Jill Cimminello doubled to lead off the sixth, and scored when Jenkins lined one in the left field gap. Jenkins had seemingly tripled, but an appeal ruled that she missed the bag rounding first. The Brakettes would not be stopped, however, as Courtney Bures singled home Denis to score the eighth run.

Jenkins and Boden had two hits and two RBI in the first game, and Fishback had two safeties and drove in three runs. Jenkins and Cimminello had two hits apiece in the nightcap.

The Brakettes improved to 38-3 for the season, and will meet the VIP's again at 12 noon Sunday. The Brakettes will take on the Connecticut Classics immediately thereafter, in the last contest of a matinee triple-header. The VIP's and Classics will also meet at 10 a.m.