Brakettes Shut Out CT Mirage 23U, 7-0 and 8-0

July 1, 2011 - - by Ilan Woll

Anchored by tremendous efforts from pitchers Rachele Fico and Stephanie Call, the Brakettes defeated the CT Mirage 23U Thursday night by 7-0 and 8-0 scores in Stratford. Home runs by Denise Denis, Call and Carly Normandin, along with Becca Carden's six singles, paced the offense.

Fico faced off in the first game against University of Delaware hurler Kathleen Conway, who earned a spot last August on the 2010 WMS all-tournament team. Fico continued her torrid strikeout pace, overpowering Mirage hitters to the tune of 11 strikeouts, while allowing only three hits.

Normandin led off the bottom of the first with a walk and advanced to second on a bunt by Ashley Waters. Following a walk to Denis, Call reached on a fielder's choice, as Normandin eluded the shortstop's tag on her way to third. With the bases loaded, Mandie Fishback earned another walk to score Normandin for a 1-0 advantage. Becca Carden singled in the second run and Kate Bowen was hit by a pitch, forcing in the last of Stratford's three runs in the first.

With one out in the second inning, Waters drew a walk. Denis then drilled a riseball past the fence in centerfield for her third home run of the year and a 5-0 lead. This was a big week for Denis as Sunday she passed Sheila Cornell for second place in the Brakettes' all-time home run record books. Thursday's long ball was the 46th home run of her career, trailing only Pat Dufficy's 91.

Conway pitched a scoreless third before being relieved by Jojo Meunier, who came in and pitched a strong fourth and fifth.

The Brakettes would finally get to Meunier in the sixth inning, as Denise Denis reached on an outfield error. Stephanie Call followed with her 11th home run of the year to go up 7-0.

Fishback and Carden then singled, followed by a walk, as the Brakettes threatened to end the game early with the bases loaded and no outs. Meunier settled down, however, popping up Melissa Mancuso and Alisa Heronema before Normandin flew out to left.

Rachele Fico nailed the door shut in the seventh for her eighth win of the 2011 campaign.

Fishback and Carden each had multiple hits, with Carden going 4-4 and a run batted in. 

Game 2 saw Stephanie Call moving into the circle to face Bridget Gates. Call dealt with an early threat in the first as Maddie McManus collected her third hit of the night, and Jess Tait reached on an infield error. With two outs, Gates drilled the ball to left field for a base hit. McManus tried to score but was thrown out at the plate on a relay from Carden to Amber Radomski to Heronema to end the top of the first. 

Gates pitched a scoreless first, but the Brakettes rallied for a run with two outs in the second. Carden singled and stole second base, giving the home team a runner in scoring position. After a walk to Radomski, Sarah Calgreen hit a screamer to the second baseman who could not handle the ball, finally flipping late to the shortstop. In the confusion on the play, Carden ran home uncontested for the first run.

The Brakettes added to the lead in the third with Normandin and Waters recording singles, then advancing on a soft grounder by Denis. Call reached on a fielder's choice as Normandin beat the throw home for a 2-0 edge. Fishback then laid down a suicide squeeze to perfection, plating Waters for the 3-0 lead. 

The Brakettes broke things open in the bottom of the fourth, as Sarah Calgreen singled, followed by a force at second on a failed sacrifice bunt. Carly Normandin then added her third home run of the year to right field to put Stratford up 5-0.

Following a ground out by Waters, Denis walked and stole second, scoring on a double down the right field line by Call for a 6-0 margin.

Fishback answered with a double of her own to extend the rally. Becca Carden singled to score Fishback, but was thrown out at second base on a strong throw from catcher Grace Amato. This ended the inning, but not before Stratford extended the lead to 8-0.

Call finished off the fifth in order, earning a run-rule win, her fourth of the year. Call allowed just three singles and struck out seven batters in the win.

The Brakettes will enjoy a road trip to Pennsylvania with a double header Friday night at 7:00 against the Allentown Patriettes at Pates Park, followed by the Lyons Fourth of July Tournament at Lyons Ballfield on Saturday and Sunday. All Brakette games on the road trip will be audio broadcast on brakettes.com.