Brakettes Blast Explorers 12-0 as Bats Sizzle After Rain Delay

August 10, 2008 - The Stratford Brakettes routed the Michigan Lady Explorers in a run-rule shortened five innings, waiting out an hour-long rain delay with a 3-0 lead, before exploding for nine runs after play resumed.

Stratford first cracked the scoreboard in the top of the second, as the team rallied with two outs. Jess Mouse was hit by a pitch and scored on a double by Serio, putting the Brakettes up 1-0. Kaitlin Cochran followed with a double, scoring Serio from second, stretching the lead to 2-0.

Whitney Mollica led off the third with a single, and reached second on an errant throw back to the pitcher. With one out, Ashley Waters doubled Mollica home for a 3-0 advantage.

The Brakettes held the 3-0 lead into the top of the fourth inning, as the weather worsened. Jess Serio was at the plate with no one on base and no outs, as the drizzling rains turned into a downpour. The teams ran for cover, as play was suspended until the rain let up.

After play began once more, Serio resumed her at-bat with a 1-1 count. She smashed the next pitch she saw to right-center for her second double of the game. Sarah Gates pinch-ran for Serio, and advanced to third on a groundball to short by Cochran. The Explorers tried to nab Gates at third, but the ball kicked away from Sam Thacker, and both runners were safe. Cochran got to second on the throw, giving the Brakettes runners at first and third with no outs.

Denise Denis drove a double to score both runners, pushing the score to 5-0. Mandie Fishback clobbered a home run over the fence in right-center, putting the Brakettes up 7-0.

Jenna Lopez walked with one out, giving way to Waters, who was hit by a pitch. Laura Trout grounded out to third, moving both runners up a bag. Jess Mouse ripped a triple to center to score Lopez and Waters, and the Brakettes’ lead was 9-0. Serio came up again and walked, as did Cochran behind her.

Amber Radomski pinch-hit for Denis, and popped one up to the left side. The ball was lost in the sun, which peaked through for only several minutes, and it fell in for an infield hit. Mouse came home to score on the hit, and Serio also charged home after a throwing error. The Brakettes took the 11-0 margin to the fifth.

Lopez tripled with one out in the fifth inning, and was driven in on a sac fly by Waters, closing out the scoring at 12-0.

Henderson worked a 1-2-3 fifth inning, striking out the last two batters for the win. She improved to 8-0 on the season, as the Brakettes moved to 59-2.