Pouring Rains, Pesky Panthers Can't Stop Brakettes

June 20, 2008 - The Stratford Brakettes swept another doubleheader Friday, topping the CT Panthers Gold by 7-1 and 10-0 scores. The games kicked off more than 90 minutes late, as a thunderstorm hit DeLuca HOF Field just minutes before the scheduled 7:00 start. Torrential downpours soaked the field, though a standup job by the grounds crew and volunteers from both teams ensured that the field would be playable.

At 8:32 pm, Bailey Sanders threw the first pitch of the doubleheader, and fans and players alike were surprised that the field enjoyed such a quick turnaround. Sanders worked in and out of trouble, but struck out a season high nine batters, as she improved to 4-0 on the season.

Mandie Fishback put the Brakettes up 1-0 in the first inning of the so-called early game, scoring from first base on a fielding error in the outfield.

The Panthers Gold scored in the top of the second inning, after Kortney Kesses reached on a one-out single. She advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Devon Diglio.

Denise Denis singled to lead off the second frame, and scored on an errant throw that sailed into the outfield. Ashley Waters, who reached on a fielder’s choice, came home on a groundout by Amber Radomski, as the Brakettes moved ahead 3-1.

Sanders worked out of base-loaded jams in both the fourth and sixth innings, as the Panthers Gold proved to be worthy opponents. Relying on the defense behind her, Sanders induced groundballs to get out of both innings.

After Jenna Lopez singled to start the fifth, Laura Trout smashed her second home run of the season over the left field fence. The two-run shot pushed the lead to 5-1.

Denis led off the home sixth with a walk, and then stole second base. Waters doubled to left, and Denis came home. Lopez then laced her second base hit of the night to score Waters, increasing the margin to 7-1. Sanders started a game-ending 1-6-3 double play in the seventh, retiring the Panthers Gold to earn the win.

Brandice Balschmiter hurled a shortened no-hitter in the second game, as the Brakettes and Panthers Gold mutually agreed to end the game after the fourth inning. She struck out seven and was just a walk away from being perfect. Balschmiter’s record now stands at 5-0 for the year.

With the late start time and the Panthers’ travel taken into consideration, the second game was clipped to five innings before it started. It was shortened another inning after the Brakettes’ bats exploded for 10 runs on 11 hits.

The Brakettes put up five in the first inning on three hits and two walks, highlighted by Waters’ two-run double. The Brakettes sent ten batters to the plate in the stanza.

Stratford scored two more in the second, with Fishback and Jess Mouse crossing the plate. Mouse also doubled home two runs in the following inning, rounding out the scoring for the night.

Whitney Mollica delivered an RBI single in the third, just prior to Mouse’s double. She scored on Mouse’s smash, the second of her two runs in the late game. Trout, Fishback, and Mouse also scored two runs.

The Brakettes will be in action again Saturday night at DeLuca Field, as they face the Outten (PA) Trailblazers. Former Brakette Jenn Huyett (now Jenn Schroeder) is a pitcher for the Trailblazers, and her husband, Chris, is the manager.

Both games of the doubleheader, scheduled for 7:00 pm, will be broadcast right here at www.brakettes.com.