Brakettes Edge Seahawks 2-1 in 12 Innings, Win Second Game 6-1

July 19, 2008 - Jill Cimminello slid home with the winning run in the bottom of the 12th inning Saturday, giving the Brakettes a 2-1 victory over the Stratford Seahawks, in a marathon match-up that may be talked about for years.

The Brakettes took the second game 6-1 behind a 10-strikeout performance from Danielle Henderson, who picked up her 98th career victory in a Brakettes' uniform.

Rachele Fico earned the win in the epic first game with five innings of relief work, striking out nine Seahawks. Bailey Sanders started the contest, going seven-plus innings, and fanning six.

Cimminello pinch-ran for Jess Serio in the decisive 12th inning, after Serio reached on a one-out single. Kaitlin Cochran followed with a perfect bunt, prompting a quick throw to first. The toss sailed into right field, and Cimminello never slowed down on her way around the bases. The throw to the plate made it close, but Cimminello was safe as the ball kicked away from the catcher, giving the Brakettes their most dramatic victory of the year by far.

The Brakettes' first run came ten innings earlier in the second frame, when Amber Radomski singled home Laura Trout. The Seahawks then got out of a first and third jam, as Serio grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.

The Seahawks tied it up in the sixth, after Kim Church and Shari D'Amico opened the inning with consecutive walks. Sanders struck out Jess Arremony, before allowing a double to left field by Nicole Downs. Church scored on the towering shot, as the Seahawks looked for the go-ahead run.

Downs was then picked off second base, making the second out, and wasting the runner in scoring position. Sanders got Davina Hernandez to pop out to end the threat, as the teams began their long stalemate.

With as many twists and turns as a Shakespearean script, the first game was a tough act to follow.

The Brakettes scored two quick runs in the bottom of the first of the encore, as they scattered four base hits. Cochran led off with a single, and advanced on a one-out base knock by Whitney Mollica. Jenna Lopez drove home Cochran from second with a single, putting the Brakettes up 1-0. Trout followed with a single to score Mollica, pushing the lead to 2-0.

Sanders came on to hit in the fifth for Mandie Fishback, as the second baseman took a ground ball to the eye in the top of the inning. Sanders roped a single to score Cochran, and moved the lead to 3-0.

The Seahawks would not go away, as they countered with a run in the top of the sixth. Church led off with a single, and scored on another clutch hit by Downs. Henderson induced a grounder to end the rally.

Cimminello added an RBI in the bottom of the frame, scoring Ashley Waters from second base, and stretching the lead to 4-1. With Denise Denis at first base, and Cochran at second, Sanders drilled a two-run double to close out the scoring at 6-1.

The Brakettes, 40-0, are in action Sunday night at 7:00, as they play host to the US Olympic Team.