Brakettes Top Charmers Twice

July 22, 2011 - The Stratford Brakettes improved to 43-0 on the season with a pair of 8-0, five-inning victories over the Connecticut Charmers at DeLuca Field on Thursday night. The wins gave the Brakettes 99-straight victories, dating back to June 4th, 2010.

Rachele Fico struck out eight in the first game to move to 19-0 on the year. She gave up four hits, but did not allow a walk.

The Brakettes jumped up early with a five-run first. Carly Normandin led off the inning with a single and went to second on a passed ball. Ashley Waters picked up a walk to put two on with no outs. Denis Denis then grounded to the right side, but reached when the ball kicked away from the second baseman.

With the bases loaded and one out, Mandie Fishback delivered a single to score Normandin and Waters, putting Stratford up 2-0. Becca Carden also contributed a base hit, scoring Denis for a 3-0 cushion. Amber Radomski and Kate Bowen also singled in runs, driving in Fishback and Carden, respectively, to give the Brakettes a 5-0 lead.

Mariel Schlaefer pulled double-duty on the night, appearing as the DP in the first game for the Charmers, before catching game two for the Brakettes.

Schlaefer started the Charmers’ biggest threat in the second with an infield single. She went to third on a single by Erika Leonard, putting runners at the corners with no outs. After striking out the next batter, Fico got a big double play to end the inning.

Schlaefer was doubled off on what appeared to be a surefire hit to left field, but Carden made a spectacular grab and easily threw to the bag to get Schlaefer.

Stratford picked up three more runs in the third on the fourth homer of 2011 by Fishback. Denis walked and Stephanie Call reached on an error, before Fishback sent another towering shot to left-center, giving the Brakettes a commanding 8-0 advantage.

Hannah Ford and Jackie Cohen had back-to-back singles in the fifth inning, but Fico retired the next two batters to close out the win in run-rule shortened fashion.

Call picked up her eighth win of the season in the nightcap, striking out seven and walking one. She scattered two base hits and was in control throughout.

Denis got the Brakettes going in game two, sending a double to left-center with two outs in the first. Call blooped a double to score Denis for the early 1-0 edge. Fishback drove in Call with a single for a 2-0 lead.

Fishback went from first to third as Carden reached on an error, bringing Melissa Mancuso to the plate. Mancuso lofted a shot to right field, which was misplayed and dropped in. Fishback and Carden raced home to stretch the margin to 4-0.

Denis again started a rally in the third, reaching second base on an error. Call drove her in with a single for a 5-0 lead. Fishback, who had six RBI and four hits on the night, smacked a double to send Denis to third.

Carden again reached on an error, which allowed both runners to score to go up 7-0. Carden stole second base and went to third on a groundout, bring Schlaefer to the plate. Schlaefer made her “other” teammates pay, as she drove in Carden with a single, giving the Brakettes an eight-run margin.

Call struck out three of the last four Charmers to earn the victory, as she retired the last 10 batters faced.

The Brakettes return to action Friday night against the Allentown (PA) Patriettes with a 7:00 doubleheader at DeLuca Field in Stratford.

All Brakette home games are video webcast at brakettes.com.