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Friday Night
Brakettes Drop Decision to Rock, Split Twinbill
 June 20, 2015 - The Newtown (PA) Rock 18U Gold defeated the Stratford Brakettes 3-0 in the first game of a doubleheader at DeLuca Field on Friday night, led by a two-hit shutout thrown by Taylor Barnes. Brandice Balschmiter and Sarah Bencivenga led the Brakettes to a 1-0 win in the late contest, salvaging a split in an entertaining doubleheader.
Laura Ricciardone (6-1) started the first game and equaled the zeros put up by Barnes into the fifth inning, when the Rock scored twice with two outs. She struck out seven along the way, but took the loss in the Brakettes’ first dropped decision of the season.
Isabella Mendez got the Rock started with a one-out, bunt single, and went to second on a single by Gabi Ermish. After a comebacker pushed both runners up a base, Lauren Duff crushed a liner to left that hopped over the fence for a two-run, ground rule double. The Rock would hold the 2-0 lead into the seventh, when they tacked on an insurance run.
Ermish got on base thanks to a fielder’s choice and scored when Hannah Olsen reached on an error, stretching the Rock advantage to 3-0.
The Brakettes never found the answer to Taylor Barnes, who struck out four and brought a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Barnes retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to close out the victory for Newtown. The Rock outhit the Brakettes 9-2 on their way to victory. Duff went 3-for-4 with two singles and a double.
 The nightcap was just as suspenseful, as Balschmiter returned the favor with a two-hit, shutout of her own. She struck out five Rock batters to improve to 6-0.
Sarah Bencivenga provided all the offense the Brakettes would need, drilling a solo shot off Rock starter Jenna Khantzian in the bottom of the second. The run proved to be the only score in the matchup, as Balschmiter was in control throughout.
Bencivenga also singled, while Taylor Moss and Val Suto each provided two-hit games for the Brakettes.
The Brakettes will return to action on Thursday night at DeLuca Field, as they host the Canadian National Team in a 7:00 doubleheader. The squads will match up yet again on both Friday and Saturday nights, with doubleheaders scheduled for both evenings.
All 2015 Brakette games are live video webcast at brakettes.com.
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| Friday night, June 19th vs. Rock Gold |
| First Game, 7:00 PM |
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Second Game |
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| ROCK GOLD |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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0 |
2 |
0 |
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1 |
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3 |
9 |
0 |
| BRAKETTES |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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2 |
2 |
Batteries: Rock Gold- Taylor Barnes (W) and Lauren Duff; Brakettes- Laura Ricciardone (L, 6-1) and Elena Bowman
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| ROCK GOLD |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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0 |
0 |
0 |
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0 |
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0 |
2 |
0 |
| BRAKETTES |
0 |
1 |
0 |
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0 |
0 |
0 |
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x |
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1 |
8 |
2 |
Batteries: Rock Gold- Jenna Khantzian (L) and Lauren Duff; Brakettes- Brandice Balschmiter (W, 6-0) and Elena Bowman
Homerun: Brakettes- Sarah Bencivenga (2) |
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