Brakettes Get Back on Track, Blank Seahawks Twice

July 25, 2008 - Following a 9-0 defeat at the hands of the U.S. Olympic Team on Sunday, the Brakettes hoped to recover Friday night at DeLuca Field against the Stratford Seahawks. The defending national champs came through in style, shutting out their cross-town rivals 9-0 and 2-0, as Brandice Balschmiter threw a no-hitter and struck out nine in the early contest.

The Brakettes won the nightcap behind a one-hit, nine-strikeout performance by Leslie Malerich. The encore proved to be a pitcher's duel, as Jen Russell held the Brakettes' bats at bay until the fifth.

The Brakettes scored early and often in the first game, plating an unearned run in the first inning, two more runs in the second, and six in the third.

Kaitlin Cochran led off the bottom of the first and reached on a throwing error. She advanced to third when Jenna Lopez also reached on an errant throw, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Mandie Fishback, putting the Brakettes up 1-0.

Ashley Waters singled to start the second inning, and moved to third on a throwing error. Jess Serio followed with an RBI single, plating Waters, and extending the lead to 2-0.

After an infield single by Cochran, Lopez drove in Serio with a sac fly, bringing the advantage to 3-0.

The offensive onslaught began in earnest in the third, when Whitney Mollica started the frame with a double. Laura Trout also reached on an error, while Mollica stayed put at second base. Waters came through again, launching a triple to right field, scoring Mollica and Trout, and making it a 5-0 game.

Denise Denis then placed a perfect bunt, but drew no throw at first base. She was safe with an infield single, and Waters stayed perched at third. Jess Mouse followed with a run-scoring single, and the lead was 6-0.

Lopez then doubled over the head of the right fielder, and brought home Denis and Mouse to secure an 8-0 lead. Lopez would later score the Brakettes' ninth and final run on a dropped throw to first, which put Fishback on base, and the only remaining suspense would be the line put forth by Balschmiter.

Balschmiter finished strong to round out the no-hitter, but fell one walk shy of perfection. She improved to 14-1 for the season, and appeared in control throughout the match-up.

Malerich improved to 11-0 with her second-game victory. After surrendering a single to right field by Kim Church on the first pitch of the game, Malerich did not allow another hit, while walking one.

The Brakettes could not muster any scoring off Russell until the fifth, and it took a blooper to finally drive home a run. Waters again proved to be a catalyst, as she doubled with two outs. Amber Radomski worked a walk, putting two on with two outs. Mouse found a way to drop a humpback liner down the right field line, just out of reach of several converging Seahawks, as Waters scored from second base.

Cochran reached base in the sixth on a one-out single, and stole second. Lopez roped another double, scoring Cochran, and getting the Brakettes an insurance run. The 2-0 margin would stand as the final score, as Malerich worked a 1-2-3 seventh inning.

Cochran reached base safely four times in the late game, with three singles and a walk. Waters was 5-for-5 in the doubleheader with three runs scored and two RBI.

The Brakettes and Seahawks will meet again Saturday night at 7:00 at DeLuca HOF Field. Both games will be broadcast right here at www.brakettes.com.