Brakettes Defeat CT High School All-Stars 7-0, as the State's Best Seniors Shine

June 13, 2008 - The Stratford Brakettes notched another win Friday night at DeLuca HOF Field in Stratford, but this one came harder than expected, and was closer than the final score would suggest. Laura Trout broke a 1-0 game open with a three-run homer in the sixth, as Brandice Balschmiter struck out eight in six innings of work.

The Brakettes threatened in the first against All-Star pitcher Sara Plourde, who recently finished her senior season at Bristol Eastern. But after Jenna Lopez doubled and Denise Denis singled in the bottom half of the inning, Plourde retired the next three Brakettes in order, to strand runners at second and third.

Stratford finally put a run on the board in the third, when Whitney Mollica singled home catcher Jess Serio. The 1-0 score would stand until the sixth, and this time Mollica started the rally, with a leadoff single.

After Mollica reached, Mouse was retired, bringing up pinch hitter Amber Radomski with one out. Radomski smashed a double to left center, and Mollica reached third on the play. With runners at second and third, Trout rocked a 1-0 pitch to dead center, stretching the lead to 4-0.

Balschmiter had a no-hitter until two outs in the fifth, when Kelli Griffiths lined a double down the left field line, sending chalk into the air. Balschmiter induced a pop-up to get out of the inning, and wiggled out of trouble in the sixth as well.

Jasmine Ortiz, a senior shortstop from Career High School in New Haven, lined an infield single off of Balschmiter’s leg with one out. Sacred Heart Academy’s Jessica Verdi reached on an error, moving Ortiz to second. Catching everyone by surprise, including the Brakettes, Ortiz executed a delayed steal, sneaking into third base under the tag of Jess Mouse. The All-Stars had runners at the corners with one out, but Balschmiter was up for the challenge. She struck out the next two batters to retire the side, securing the 1-0 lead at the time.

After Trout’s homer provided Stratford with some separation, Leslie Malerich was brought in to pitch. She struck out eight of the nine batters she faced, earning a three-inning save.

The Brakettes added some insurance in the eighth inning, after seeing one of their own have a scary moment at the plate. Jess Mouse, who made her Brakettes’ debut yesterday, was hit in the batting helmet with the first pitch in the bottom of the eighth. She took her time to collect herself, but was able to stay in the game, even scoring on a wild pitch. Radomski walked and Trout followed with another base hit, bringing up Lopez. The Brakettes’ centerfielder smashed a single to right field to score Radomski and Trout, upping the margin to 7-0.

Lopez was 3-for-4 in the game, and the out she made was as memorable as her hits. She roped a liner to the right side of the infield. Ortiz gave the visiting fans something to cheer about, as she snared the shot with a fully outstretched dive to her right, recording the out in spectacular fashion.

The Brakettes improved to 9-0 for the season, as Balschmiter moved to 3-0. Stratford will be back in action Saturday night at DeLuca, as they host the New Jersey Elite in a 7 pm doubleheader.