Brakettes Sweep to Pair of 8-0 Wins Over Tremors

July 26, 2009 - The Brakettes powered to twin 8-0, run-rule victories over the TC Tremors Sunday afternoon at DeLuca Field in Stratford. Rachele Fico struck out 12 batters in a one-hit, five inning performance in the early contest, and Carly Normandin went 4-for-4 with three RBI in the late game.

Stratford scored six runs in the second inning of the 12:00 matchup, when Mandie Fishback led off with a walk. Amber Radomski was hit by a pitch to put two on base, bringing up Jill Cimminello in a sacrifice situation. Cimminello dropped a bunt in front of the plate, and the Tremors tried unsuccessfully to get Fishback at third. With Cimminello safe at first, Bailey Sanders strode to the plate.

Sanders drove a hard liner to left center to score Fishback and Radomski, giving the Brakettes a 2-0 lead. Stacey Lajoie followed with a run-scoring single, pushing Sanders to third.

With a 3-0 lead, Lindsey Kay Bright sliced a double within the left-field foul line, scoring Sanders easily, and sending Lajoie toward third. The ball was misplayed in left, allowing Lajoie to continue around the bases, and giving Stratford a 5-0 advantage. Bright would score with two outs on an RBI single by Fishback, closing out the inning with a 6-0 lead.

Amy Bright started the early game for the Tremors, and was relieved by Stacy Kuwik in the second inning. Kuwick also started the second matchup, giving way to Brooke Darling in the fourth frame.

The Brakettes manufactured a run in the bottom of the third, as Cimminello earned a lead-off walk. Sanders sacrificed Cimminello over to second, and Lajoie pushed her to third on a groundout. Cimminello raced home on a wild pitch, putting the Brakettes up 7-0.

Denise Denis singled with one out in the home fourth, and promptly took off for second. She drew a throw at second on the steal attempt, but the base was left unmanned, and the ball sailed to center. Denis continued on to third base, and also came home on a wild pitch, stretching the margin to 8-0.

Fico needed to get just three outs to close out the run-rule shortened contest, but allowed a two-out single to Rosie Roessel. The base hit was the only safety given up by Fico in the game. Lucia Meola was retired on a grounder to second to end the game. Fico improved to 7-0 with the win.

Kasey Barrett picked up her fifth win as a Brakette in the late contest. She allowed three hits, while striking out eight batters.

Gabby Luety, Michelle Prong, and Aliccia Cacciotti all singled in the second game, but the Tremors could not get on the scoreboard.

Jess Serio was the designated player in the second game, after pinch-hitting the night before. Serio injured her throwing shoulder in a game last week, and has not played the field since. She led off the second with a single, and moved up on a wild pitch. Cimminello then walked, and Sanders delivered a single to score Serio. Normandin also singled, plating Cimminello with the team’s second run.

Stratford picked up two more runs in the fourth, when Sanders earned a walk to start the inning. Lajoie reached on a bunt single, and Bright sacrificed both runners into scoring position. Normandin then offered up her second double to bring home Sanders and Lajoie, putting the Brakettes up 4-0.

Normandin delivered her fourth hit in the sixth frame, a lead-off bunt single. Waters pushed her over with a sac bunt, bringing Denis to the plate. Denis served up a double to score Normandin, giving Stratford a 5-0 advantage. Fico walked with two outs, and Cimminello pitched in with an RBI single, scoring Denis from second.

Sanders earned a walk to load the bases, giving Lajoie a chance to end the game early. Lajoie came through with a single, scoring Serio and Cimminello, and ending the contest with an 8-0 score.

The Brakettes will return to action on Friday night at 6:30 against the CT Mirage Gold, at DeLuca Field in Stratford. Both games will be broadcast right here at brakettes.com.