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Balschmiter and Talcik Twin One-Hitters Dominate Rock Gold 1-0, 8-0
 July 16 - by Ilan Woll - After two double headers cancelled lost to rain, the Brakettes were anxious to play some softball. Meanwhile, the Rock came to Stratford following a successful 4-2 record at the World Cup of Softball. The Brakettes' Brandice Balschmiter took the circle, facing a new Rock pitcher, Maggie Balint, who finished her Freshmen year at the University of Oregon.
Both pitchers dominated the first inning, with Maggie Balint striking out the side, and Brandice Balschmiter striking out two in perfect innings.
For the second frame, the Brakettes threatened when, with one out, Lauren Pitney and Hannah Cooper walked, but were unable to score.
In the top of the third, the Rock had their best opportunity, as Ashley Worrell walked with MacKenzie Compton running for her. Compton then stole second and took third after Julia DaCosta hustled out an infield hit. Brandice then struck out the next batter. Afterwards, a stolen base attempt was thwarted by a quick throw from Cooper to Pitney, tagging out the advancing runner to end the threat.
Stratford also failed to convert an opportunity in the third inning off of new pitcher Sarah Magro. With two outs, Val Suto's speed produced an infield hit, followed by a bloop into left field for Brittany Younan, and a Denise Denis infield single. Nagro however, retired the last batter with a ground ball to second.
After each team had a baserunner in the fourth, and a quick Rock fifth inning, the Brakettes led the bottom of the frame with Casey Harding walking and stealing second. Suto then bunted her to third base, and Younan drove her in with a line drive single to centerfield. This was the only run of the game as neither team threatened again.
Brandice Balschmiter advanced to 7-1 on the season, striking out twelve and walking three, allowing just an infield single. Brit Younan was the only player with multiple hits in the game. She also had the only RBI for the opener.
For the nightcap, Kaysee Talcik returned to Stratford after pitching for the Puerto Rican national team in the World Cup of Softball. Ashley Worrell , about to start her senior year in high school, pitched for the Rock.
Kaysee Talcik established her dominance early, retiring the first eight hitters she faced before allowing the only hit of the game to the opposing pitcher. Talcik did not allow another baserunner in the game.
Offensively, Val Suto started the Brakettes first with a walk, and was sacrificed over by Brittany Younan. Jolie Duffner then singled to center, scoring Suto for the early lead.
In the second, Courtney Cashman was hit by a pitch. Alexis Bazos then walked with two outs, and Noel Lent would add another hit to the outfeld to score Cashman for the two run lead.
Stratford added three more in the third as Suto walked, and Younan added an infield hit. Denise Denis drilled an RBI single to left, scoring Suto. Jolie Duffner plated Younan with a sacrifice fly to deep center. Gabby Laccona then singled in Denis to add to the lead.
Noel Lent added a sixth run in the next frame as, following a single to left, Megan Hodgdon drilled a grounder to rightfield. Suto's line drive to center brought in Lent.
 With one out in the fifth, Duffner, who had produced a number of doubles and triples, finally found the home run swing (photo), launching a curve ball over the right centerfield fence to bring the Brakettes one run from the run-rule victory. Lauren Pitney followed up with a single. Cashman then singled to center and, following a throwing error trying to get Pitney at third, she scored the final run for the Brakettes.
Kaysee Talcik (3-1) was dominant, allowing only the single baseruner, striking out five. Offensively, Jolie Duffner drove in a run in each of her at bats with a single, sacrifice fly, and home run. Along with Duffner, Noel Lent also had a multiple hit game.
The Brakettes return to action Sunday morning at 10:00am ET with a single game against the Rock Gold. Next week the Brakettes host the CT Seahawks Thursday and have double headers Friday and Saturday against the Dutchess Debs. Sunday, July 23, the Brakettes play the Bridgeport Bluefish in the fourth annual Battle of the Sexes. All games will be broadcast on Brakettes.com
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| Saturday night, July 15th vs. Rock 18 Gold |
| First Game, 7:00 PM |
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Second Game |
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| Batteries: Rock Gold- Maggie Balint, Sarah Magro (3, L), Ashley Worrell (6) and Nicole Marcon; Brakettes- Brandice Balschmiter (W, 7-1) and Hannah Cooper |
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Batteries: Rock Gold- Ashley Worrell (L), Sarah Magro (3) and Nicole Marcon; Brakettes- Kaysee Talcik (W, 3-1) and Megan Hodgdon
Homerun: Brakettes- Jolie Duffner (1) |
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