Brakettes Beat Saints; Win Right To Play Another Day

August 9, 2008 - The Stratford Brakettes defeated the St. Louis Saints 5-1 Saturday afternoon in an elimination game at the ASA Nationals in Amherst, NY. The victory keeps the Brakettes' national title aspirations alive, and pits them up against the NY Freedom at 8:30 Sunday morning.

Bailey Sanders started the game for the Brakettes, and scattered five hits in three innings, allowing the lone Saints' run. Leslie Malerich came on in relief in the fourth, throwing four scoreless innings to earn the win, striking out eight.

Jenna Lopez singled with one out in the second inning, and moved up a base on a single by Ashley Waters. Laura Trout looped a double down the right field line to score Lopez, giving the Brakettes a 1-0 lead.

Stratford had runners at second and third with just one out, but would be unable to score another run. Jess Mouse grounded to the left side, and third baseman Ashley Hall fired home in time to nab Waters at the plate. Jill Cimminello also grounded to Hall, and was retired at first base for the last out of the inning.

The Saints tied the game in the top of the third, as Hall roped a triple to start the frame. Christa Gammon grounded out to short, sending Hall home to score, tying the game up at 1-1.

The Brakettes answered the Saints' tally with three scores in the home third. Denise Denis singled with one out, and scored from first on a double by Mandie Fishback. Whitney Mollica reached on a single, bringing up Lopez, who singled again to score Fishback.

With Mollica at third, Lopez tried to steal second, but was gunned down by Saints’ catcher Audrey Childress. Waters walked, again giving the Brakettes runners at the corners. Mollica would score the Brakettes' fourth run when Trout reached on an error by shortstop Candace Curtis, putting the Brakettes up 4-1.

The Brakettes received an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, when Kaitlin Cochran tripled with one out. Cochran raced home on a wild pitch, giving the Brakettes a 5-1 lead.

Malerich needed three more outs to wrap up the victory, and got the first two outs on a fly ball and a strikeout. The last out proved to be a bit more difficult.

Amanda Clack singled to keep the Saints' hopes alive, and reached second on a fielding error. Curtis grounded to Fishback, who charged in to make a play on the ball, which kicked off her glove. Clack rounded second, perhaps assuming the play would be made at first. Fishback was too late to throw to first, but recovered in time to get Clack stranded off second, flipping to Waters for the tag and last out of the game.

The Brakettes will need to win five consecutive games Sunday to defend their title, beginning with the game against the Freedom. The Southern Cal Hurricanes and Western NY Xtreme are the only unbeaten teams, and will play in the winner’s bracket final Sunday. Four teams, including the Brakettes, remain in the loser's bracket.

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