Brakettes Capture Two From Spirit

June 8, 2008 - The Brakettes took two games Saturday night from the Pennsylvania Spirit, 8-0 and 4-1, in Lyons, PA. The wins moved the Brakettes to 4-0 on the season-opening road trip, with two games remaining Sunday afternoon against the Topton VIP's.

Brandice Balschmiter improved her record to 2-0 with an abbreviated eight strikeout, one-hit performance in the first game, as Stratford pounded out 11 hits. It was the third straight run-rule shortened victory for the Brakettes. Leslie Malerich struck out 16 in the second half of the doubleheader, as the Brakettes played their first regulation length game of the 2008 campaign.

Jenna Lopez led off the early game with a single, and then stole second base. She moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Laura Trout, and scored on a double by Mandy Fishback.

With a 1-0 lead in the second inning, the Brakettes went back to work. Amber Radomski singled and moved up 60 feet on Ashley Water’s sacrifice bunt. Bailey Sanders was hit by a pitch, putting runners at first and second. Elisa Van Kirk singled, bringing Lopez up with the bases loaded.

Lopez connected off of Spirit starter Melissa Marotta, sending a towering fly ball over the head of the right fielder. The result was a bases-clearing triple, putting the Brakettes up 4-0. Lopez came home to score Stratford’s fifth run on a Fishback single.

Jess Serio singled and scored in the fifth, as did Radomski, and the Brakettes’ lead stood at 8-0. Spirit catcher Denise Henderson singled down the right field line with one out in the fifth to break up Balschmiter’s no-hit bid. The Brakettes recorded the next two outs to seal the victory.

Malerich labored through the second game, allowing a run in the third. She gave up two walks in the inning, followed by a single by Heather Gordan, as the Spirit scored their only run.

Lopez scored the Brakettes first run in the nightcap, tagging from third on Fishback’s sac fly to left. With a 1-0 lead in the third, Lopez again proved to be a catalyst, leading off with a double. Trout worked a walk, giving Stratford runners at first and second. Lopez scored on a double by Whitney Mollica, with Trout moving to third. Trout came home on a sacrifice fly by Serio, giving the Brakettes a 3-0 lead.

Ashley Waters doubled down the third base line in the sixth, and went home on a single by Lopez, closing out the scoring. Malerich recorded the last eight outs of the game via strikeout, as the Brakettes held on for the 4-1 victory.

The Brakettes will play the Topton VIP’s Sunday at 1:00 at Lyons Field in Lyons, PA.

The games will be broadcast live right here at www.brakettes.com.