Brakettes Win 100th Game in a Row

July 23, 2011 - The Stratford Brakettes defeated the Allentown (PA) Patriettes 11-0 and 9-0 Friday night in a doubleheader sweep at DeLuca Field in Stratford. Carly Normandin blasted three homers on the night to lead Stratford to their 100th and 101st consecutive wins.

Brandice Balschmiter threw a one-hit shutout in the early game, giving up just a first-inning, ground rule double to Brit Muthard. She did not allow any walks, but hit one batter, while striking out eight.

The Brakettes started things quickly, as Normandin led off the bottom of the first with a double. She scored on Ashley Waters’ seventh homer of the year, a blast that caromed off the glove of the outstretched left fielder and landed on the other side of the fence.

Stephanie Call smacked her Brakette record 21st home run of the season to dead center with one out, extending the Brakettes’ lead to 3-0.

Stratford opened the game up in the second inning, putting seven more runs on the board.

Melissa Mancuso reached on an error while leading off the second, and raced around the bases as the throw sailed into right field. A second throwing error on the play sent the ball in to left field, and allowed Mancuso to score the Brakettes’ fourth run.

Alisa Heronema followed with a bunt single and stole second. Normandin came up next and planted her 12th long ball of 2011 over the fence for a 6-0 advantage.

Denise Denis and Call both walked with one out, bringing Mandie Fishback to the plate. Fishback singled to score Denis, putting Stratford up 7-0.

Becca Carden capped the second-inning rally with a three-run blast to right field, her sixth homer of the year. The Brakettes’ lead stood at 10-0 after two innings.

Stacey Lajoie batted for Denis in the fourth and contributed a base hit to the attack. After moving over on a ground ball, Lajoie eventually scored Stratford’s last run on a groundout by Fishback, leaving the Brakettes up 11-0 entering the fifth.

Balschmiter retired the side in the fifth to close out the victory, improving to 15-0 on the season.

Rachele Fico struck out 12 batters in the late game, giving up just a single to Jackie Wear to lead off the game. She walked two batters, but was in control throughout, moving to 20-0 for the 2011 campaign.

Normandin continued her recent torrid streak by leading off the bottom of the first in the nightcap with a solo shot, her 13th of the season. The Brakettes’ 1-0 lead was extended in the third inning, as Stratford scored another run.

Call reached on a single with two outs and went to second when the ball was misplayed in right field. Fishback pushed Call to third with a single, putting runners on the corners. Call came home when Cadern reached on an error, putting Stratford ahead, 2-0.

Heronema got things going again in the Brakette fourth, reaching with one out on a base hit. Normandin earned a walk, moving Heronema to second base. Waters then drove in Heronema with a single, stretching the lead to 3-0. Denis loaded the bases for Call with another walk.

Call sliced the ball to right field and cleared the bases, ending up at third base with a three-run triple. The Stratford lead stood at 6-0 after four innings.

Mariel Schlaefer had a one-out base hit in the fifth, and went to second on another single by Heronema, brining Normandin back up.

Normandin continued her impressive showing with a three-run homer to left-center, her 14th of the year. The Brakettes won 11-0 in five innings, as the Brakettes left the Patriettes on the field.

The Brakettes improved to 45-0 on the season, and have not lost since June 4th, 2010, a 7-3 Opening Night loss to the Newtown (PA) Rock.

The Brakettes will take on the Lyons (PA) Spirit in a 7:00 doubleheader Saturday night at DeLuca Field. Both games will be video webcast at brakettes.com.