Brakettes Blank Host Lightning In Five Innings

August 7, 2008 - The Stratford Brakettes jumped out to a quick start at the 2008 ASA Women's Major Nationals Thursday, topping the Amherst Lightning 10-0 behind a no-hitter by Bailey Sanders. Kaitlin Cochran reached another milestone, as she became the first Brakette in the team’s 62-year history to hit three triples in the same game.

Sanders struck out eight, and a fourth inning error allowed the only base runner of the game for the Lightning. She improved to 13-0 on the season, picking up her first ASA Women's Major National Tournament victory.

Cochran led off the game with the first of her triples, and came home on a groundout by Denise Denis. The Brakettes then loaded the bases with two outs, only to strand all three base runners.

Lightning starter Sam Thompson pitched well into the fourth, when the Brakettes broke the game wide open.

Jess Mouse walked with one out in the fourth, and moved to second on a single by Jess Serio. Cochran grounded out to second, advancing both runners up a base. Denis cranked a triple of her own to deep right field, scoring Mouse and Serio, while putting Stratford up 3-0. Denis came home on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 4-0.

Mandie Fishback followed with a two-out walk, and reached second on a passed ball. Whitney Mollica then roped a double to right to score Fishback, and the lead was 5-0 entering the fifth.

Laura Trout led off the fifth frame with a single, and scored on a double by Mouse. Cochran came up next and laced her third triple to score Mouse, and the lead stretched to 7-0. Cochran raced across the plate after an errant throw back to the pitcher, giving the Brakettes an 8-0 advantage.

After Denis reached on an error by the second baseman, Fishback smashed her third home run of the year over the 260-foot fence in left, rounding out the scoring at 10-0.

The Brakettes moved to 53-1 with the win, and will play again at 9:00 am Friday against the TC Tremors of Endicott, NY. After the completion of round-robin pool play, the Brakettes will begin their quest for an unprecedented 29th National title on Friday afternoon, when the double-elimination bracket play begins.

All Brakettes' games from the ASA Nationals will be broadcast right here at www.brakettes.com.