Xtreme Shock Sets In As Brakettes Lose in First Round

August 8, 2008 - The Western NY Xtreme gave the Brakettes a rude awakening Friday afternoon at the ASA National tourney, dropping the two-time defending champs 2-1 in eight innings. Olivia Piacemiti scored the winning run on a suicide squeeze bunt, racing home to score from third base, after starting the inning at second due to the international tiebreaker rule.

Xtreme pitcher Brit Stratton held the Brakettes to just three hits in eight innings, striking out three, and surviving six walks. The Brakettes were off balance all day at the plate, and made 16 outs in the air.

The Brakettes scored right away and looked primed to continue their recent dominance. Kaitlin Cochran led off the first with a single, and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Denise Denis. Cochran then stole third, and scored on a sac fly by Mandie Fishback.

The 1-0 lead stood until the third, when the Xtreme evened the tally. Amanda Kotz smashed a one-out triple that rolled to the 260-foot fence in right field, and scored on a grounder to short by Lindsay Szymanski. After consecutive walks to Sammy Vara and Niki Sabuda, Brandice Balschmiter struck out Rachel Clonick to strand both runners.

Balschmiter pitched well in defeat, striking out fifteen batters and allowing just two hits.

The Brakettes squandered numerous chances with runners on base. They had two on in both the fourth and fifth innings, and failed to get the needed hit. Stratford also had a runner on in the sixth, but their best chance to score again came in the seventh.

Jess Serio reached on an infield bloop single with two outs, aided by a strong wind that pushed the ball away from all Xtreme fielders at the last moment. She stretched it out to second, and was safe only because of a throwing error on the play. Jill Cimminello pinch-ran for Serio, and the Xtreme decided to intentionally walk Cochran. Denise Denis followed with a walk, loading the bases with two outs.

Mandie Fishback, needing a hit to win the game, smacked a line drive in the hole between third and short. It went past the outstretched glove of Niki Sabuda at third, and seemed destined for left field. Clonick ranged to her right from short and made a fully outstretched diving catch to save the game, sending the game to the international tiebreaker.

Piacemiti started the eighth inning at second base, as she made the last out in the seventh. Ashley Kotz laid down a bunt to move her to third, and Kotz beat out the throw for an infield single. Amanda Kotz grounded right back to Balschmiter, who looked the runner back to third, before firing over to first for the out.

Szymanski then laid down the eventual game-winning bunt, which was fielded by Balschmiter. After a slight hesitation, Balschmiter threw home, but not before Piacemiti slid in with the go-ahead run. Balschmiter struck out the next two batters to retire the side.

Fishback began the bottom of the eighth at second, and was moved to third on a bunt by Mollica. Jenna Lopez walked, giving the Brakettes runners at the corners with one out. Laura Trout followed with a grounder to second, and seemed to beat the throw to first, but was called out. Fishback held at third base, and Lopez moved to second, but the Brakettes were down to their last out. Ashley Waters represented the last hope to pull out the comeback, but struck out looking to end the game.

The Brakettes, now 54-2, will have to win three games on Saturday, and five more Sunday, to defend their title. They will return to play Saturday morning at 11:00 against the Sandlot of Amherst, NY. All Brakettes' games at the ASA Nationals will be broadcast right here at www.brakettes.com.