Brakettes Win Two, Welcome Back One of Their Own

June 21, 2008 - The Stratford Brakettes took both games of a doubleheader from the Outten (PA) Trailblazers Saturday night at DeLuca HOF Field, but what they gave was the story of the night. Before the 10-0 and 6-0 decisions, manager John Stratton presented former Brakettes pitcher Jenn Huyett (now Jenn Schroeder) with a commemorative plaque honoring her for five years of service to the Brakettes. But the story doesn't end there, or perhaps… it doesn’t begin there.

The date on the plaque was inscribed June 9, 2002. That was the day Stratton had hoped to surprise Schroeder with the memento, hearing from some of his players that she would be coming to the weekend’s games. At the last minute, she had to change her plans, and was unable to make her return to Stratford. The plaque collected dust, as it was forgotten about through the years. Schroeder finally made her return to Stratford with the Trailblazers, her husband Chris, who serves at the team's manager, and her two children.

Schroeder started the first game for Outten, after finally accepting the award, and was relieved in the fourth inning. She received a round of applause from all in attendance when she came out of the game.

Leslie Malerich pitched her second straight shortened perfect game, facing the minimum 15 batters. She struck out 12, and improved to 6-0 for the season.

The Brakettes scored four runs in the third inning, and six in the fourth, as they cut the game short via run rule. Jill Cimminello and Jenna Lopez both reached in the third on bunt singles. Laura Trout reached on an error and loaded the bases, and Mandie Fishback smashed a single to score the first two runs. Jess Mouse lined a double to left, scoring two more for a 4-0 lead.

Ashley Waters led off the fourth with a triple, and scored on a sac fly by Bailey Sanders. The Brakettes tacked on five more runs in the inning, as they sent 11 batters to the plate. Fishback, Lopez, and Waters all had two hits in the game.

Brandice Balschmiter was a seventh inning bunt single away from a no-hitter, and struck out 14, as she picked up her sixth win in the nightcap. Whitney Mollica smashed her second home run of the season in the late game, giving the Brakettes a 1-0 lead in the second inning. She saw only three pitches in the nightcap, turning all into hits. Mollica went 3-for-3, also collecting a single and a double. The Brakettes added one more run in the third, as Sanders singled and scored.

Sanders also doubled in the three-run fourth, as did Mouse, as the Brakettes extended to a 5-0 lead. They tacked one more on in the fifth, ending the night with a 6-0 win.

The Brakettes and Trailblazers will play Sunday afternoon at 1:00 at DeLuca Field. Both games will be broadcast here at www.brakettes.com.