Brakettes Advance to WMS Championship Game

August 9, 2014 - The Stratford Brakettes topped the St. Louis Saints 8-0 on Saturday night in the WMS Winner's Bracket Final to move into the Championship Game at DeLuca Field on Sunday at 1:00 pm. Brandice Balschmiter pitched a one-hitter, while Elena Bowman and Denise Denis homered to fuel the offense.

Balschmiter struck out four to improve to 14-0 on the season, giving up just a leadoff bunt single to Kelly Kapp in the top of the first.

Jess Mouse scored the Brakettes first run in the bottom of the second, reaching on a three-base error, then scoring on a single by Cassie Ruscz for a 1-0 lead.

Britt Lampert beat out a bunt single to lead off the third for Stratford, scoring when Bowman crushed her second homer of WMS Bracket Play for a 3-0 margin.

Mandie Fishback followed Bowman and singled to left, setting the stage again for Denis, who did not disappoint. The injured star centerfielder again served as the DP and batted in the sixth spot in the order, but her swing remained true to form.

Denis launched a two-run shot to push the score to 5-0, giving her a career-high 16 home runs on the season.

The Brakettes stretched the lead in the fourth, plating another two runs in the frame.

Lampert led off and reached on an error, then moved to third on a double by Elise Fortier. Bowman followed and walked to load the bases, bringing Denis to the plate.

Denis offered up a two-run double to score two more, closing out the fourth with a 7-0 Stratford lead.

Balschmiter retired the side in order in the top of the fifth, setting the stage for a possible run-rule decision.

Ruscz picked up her second hit of the game with one out in the fifth, heading to second on a base hit by Bri Chiusano. Lampert sacrificed both runners over, and Fortier walked to load the bases. With two outs in the inning, Bowman laced a single to score Ruscz, shortening the game to five innings and securing the 8-0 win.

The Brakettes will play in the Championship Game at 1:00 against the winners of the loser's bracket final. The Saints will play in that contest Sundat at 11 am, awaiting the winners of the 9 am Lyons (PA) Spirit-Stratford Seahawks elimination game.

All of Sunday's games in the WMS National Championship at DeLuca Field will be live video webcast on www.brakettes.com.