Brakettes Win Two Elimination Games; Saints Up Next

August 9, 2008 - The Stratford Brakettes won a pair of must-win games at the ASA Nationals Saturday morning, dropping The Sandlot of Amherst, NY 8-0, and the Topton (PA) VIP’s 9-0. Manager John Stratton had the benefit of throwing back-to-back former Olympians, as the Brakettes started the long road through the loser’s bracket.

2004 Italian Olympian Leslie Malerich allowed just one hit and struck out 13 batters in the six-inning win over The Sandlot. She improved to 15-0 on the season.

The Brakettes were held scoreless until the third inning, when Denise Denis rocked a triple to score Jess Mouse and Kaitlin Cochran. The 2-0 lead would stand until the fifth.

Denis got her second hit with one out in the fifth, and Mandie Fishback followed with a base hit as well. Whitney Mollica sent a single up the middle to score Denis, putting the Brakettes up 3-0. Fishback was forced out at third on a grounder by Laura Trout, and the Brakettes had two runners on with two outs. Ashley Waters reached on an error, allowing Mollica to come home to score. Trout then blooped a double to left field, scoring Lopez for a 5-0 margin.

Jill Cimminello doubled to lead off the sixth inning, and scored the Brakettes’ sixth run on a triple by Cochran. Denis lofted a sac fly to plate Cochran, and the Brakettes were up 7-0. Mollica and Lopez earned consecutive two-out walks, and Waters delivered a single to bring home Mollica, ending the game in six innings via the run-rule.

Danielle Henderson, who won gold with the USA at Sydney in 2000, pitched a five-inning no-hitter in the win over the VIP’s. She struck out nine and allowed a second-inning walk for the only Topton base runner.

The Brakettes were held scoreless until the third inning of the second game, when they batted for a reverse cycle and plated four runs. Jess Serio started the scoring with a one-out solo shot to left, her second homerun of the season. Cochran followed with a triple, and scored on a double by Fishback. Mollica completed the feat with a single to center to score Fishback, and the lead was 3-0. Lopez singled home Denis for the fourth run, and was thrown out at second trying to extend it to a double.

Trout beat out an infield single with one out in the fourth, and stole second base. Jess Mouse reached on a walk, and Serio again came through with a big hit. Serio drilled a double to left, scoring both runners for a 6-0 lead. Cimminello pinch-ran for Serio, and after Cochran walked, scored on a single by Denis. Cochran went first to third on Denis’ hit, as Denis took second on the throw. Mollica followed with a single to drive in Cochran and Denis, and the lead was 9-0.

Henderson needed to get three outs to complete the run-rule shortened victory, and retired the side in order, striking out the last two batters. She improved to 7-0 on the season, picking up career victory number 101.

The Brakettes will play the St. Louis Saints Friday at 5:00 pm ET in another loser’s bracket elimination game. The winner will play tomorrow morning at 8:30.

All Brakettes’ games at the 2008 ASA Women’s Major Fastpitch Nationals will be broadcast right here at www.brakettes.com.