Brakettes Blast Past Panthers

June 19, 2008 - The Stratford Brakettes took two games from the CT Panthers Gold Thursday night, by 10-0 and 14-0 scores, each contest shortened by the run rule. The hometown favorites were unforgiving hosts at DeLuca HOF Field, pounding out 31 hits in the doubleheader, including a second game grand slam by Jess Mouse.

Jenna Lopez and Laura Trout started the early game with consecutive singles, and both moved up 60 feet after a pitch in the dirt. Mouse came to the plate with two runners in scoring position, and sent both home with a line drive double to left-center. Denise Denis followed with a single, bringing Mouse across the plate to push the lead to 3-0.

Jess Serio scored the following inning on a wild pitch, and the 4-0 lead stood until the fourth.

The Brakettes plated six runs on six hits in the home fourth, with Lopez darting home from third on a fielding error, putting Stratford up 5-0. The scoring continued with a bases-loaded single by Denis, which scored Trout and Fishback. Ashley Waters also had two RBI in the rally, smashing a double to score Mouse and Denis. Waters would come home on a single by Serio, closing out the scoring at 10-0.

Brandice Balschmiter, who allowed a lone hit to Kortney Kesses in the first inning, struck out 10 as she improved to 4-0.

The Brakettes sent 14 batters to the plate in the first inning of the late game, scoring 11 runs on 11 hits. The highlight of the frame was the grand slam by Mouse, who also doubled and totaled five RBI in the inning.

The first five batters reached safely, and eventually scored. Fishback drilled a two-run double in the inning, as she was one of four Brakettes with two hits in the first. Lopez and Trout joined Fishback and Mouse in accomplishing the feat.

Trout went 4-for-4 in the game, and Fishback and Lopez each collected three hits. Serio doubled twice, and drove in three runs.

The Brakettes added two runs in the second, and one in the third.

Leslie Malerich threw an abbreviated perfect game in the nightcap, striking out all but one batter to come to the plate. She recorded 14 strikeouts in a dominating performance, including the first 12 batters she faced. Malerich improved to 5-0 on the year, as the Brakettes moved to 12-0 overall.

The Brakettes play the CT Panthers Gold again Friday night at Deluca Field at 7:00. The games will be broadcast right here at www.brakettes.com.