Brakettes Advance To Winner's Bracket Final As Balschmiter Fires No-Hitter

August 6, 2007 - The Brakettes toppled the Carbondale (IL) Cougars 4-0 on Monday afternoon in a winner's bracket semi-final, setting up a rematch with the California Sliders, last year's National Runner-Up. Brandice Balschmiter tossed a no-hitter for the Brakettes, allowing just two base runners, and striking out eight.

The red and white knew it wouldn't be easy, as Carbondale starting pitcher Megan Denny struck out the side in the first, and five through two innings. The Brakettes finally cracked through in the top of the third, when Stephanie Hill led off with a walk. Allison Twarowski came in as a pinch-runner, a solid coaching decision by the Brakettes' staff, as Twarowski proved to be a menace on the basepaths. Joanna Gail tried to sacrifice her to second, but bunted hard to the third baseman Katie Wagner. Wagner had time to get the lead runner, and fired to second base. As Twarowski slid in hard, the throw sailed high, taking the second baseman off the bag. Twarowski was safe at second, as was Gail at first. Sari-Jane Jenkins also laid down a sacrifice bunt, which was again fielded by Wagner. The throw was on the money at third, but shortstop Shea Warren dropped the ball, and Twarowski was again safe. Gail reached second, and Jenkins took first on the fielder's choice, loading the bases for Mandie Fishback. The Brakettes' second baseman delivered an RBI single to center, sending Twarowski home for the first run. With two outs, Whitney Mollica took first on a walk, forcing Gail in to give the Brakettes a 2-0 lead.

Balschmiter had all the offense she would need, as she was spectacular. She was separated from perfection by only a second inning error, the Brakettes' first of the tournament, and a sixth inning walk. After the top of the third, Denny kept the Brakettes at bay until the seventh, as she struck out ten batters along the way.

The Brakettes got some insurance in the seventh, as Gail led off with a walk. Jenkins strode to the plate, looking for her first hit of the game. What she got was exactly that, although it traveled much further than she had bargained for. She drilled a pitch over the right-center fence, her first home run in a Brakette uniform, and brought home two more runs. The Brakettes' lead stood at 4-0 entering the bottom of the seventh, with Balschmiter needing three outs to record the no-no. She induced two ground ball outs, then retired Christy Leath on strikes to close out an impressive performance.

The Brakettes will play the California Sliders in the winner's bracket final at approximately 4:30, with a berth in the championship game at stake. The Sliders advanced by virtue of a 7-3 victory over the Southern California Hurricanes, who defeated the Brakettes in the 2005 championship game in Stratford, CT. The game will be broadcast right here at www.brakettes.com.