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Scrappy Brakettes Win Pitcher's Duels versus Eliminators 3-2, 4-1
 July 21 - by Ilan Woll - With the Women's Major Softball Championships less than two weeks away, the Brakettes prepared for the test of a talented Connecticut Eliminators team that had already defeated Stratford twice. Manhattan's Nicole Williams faced Kristi Van Meter of Tufts University.
Tiff Mangiameli started things off with a single, with Madeira Alexander reaching on a two out error to threaten, but a fly ball to center ended the inning. Kristi Van Meter conversely retired the Brakettes in order.
Meanwhile, after the Eliminators going quietly in the second, the Brakettes had an opportunity as Jolie Duffner singled to center, and an error put Alex Heinen on base. Sam Rodriguez walked, loading the bases, but the next two batters struck out to end the inning scoreless.
Val Suto started the bottom of the third reaching on a throwing error, and advancing to third on a sacrifice by Theresa Kane, but a strikeout and pop up prevented a run from scoring.
Michelle Theilgard singled in the fourth and, following a walk to Riley Pickett, the Eliminators were primed to score when a hard hit ball was fielded down the line by Rodriguez, who stepped on third and threw to first for a double play to end the inning (photo).
Lauren Pitney finally ended the scoreless streak with a solo home run to deep left in the fourth for the advantage. However, Van Meter then retired the next seven Brakettes she saw.
After a scoreless fifth, Ashley Landolina reached on an infield single, and advanced to third as Maria Moccio drilled a ball to right centerfield for a double, putting both runners in scoring position. Madeira Alexander then singled in a run. The next batter drilled a liner to Alex Heinen, tagging the runner for a double play. However, Riley Pickett doubled to score Moccio and the 2-1 visitors' advantage.
However, the bats came alive in the seventh as Suto walked and stole second. Denise Denis then singled Suto in to tie the game and stole second. Duffner then singled to right, and Denis continued running as the ball was bobbled for the walk off run and the 3-1 victory.
Kristi Van Meter was effective for the visitors, allowing only five hits while striking out five. Nicole Williams (5-0) struck out eight in the win. Jolie Duffner and Tiff Mangiameli both had two-hit games.
For game two, Brandice Balschmiter faced off against St. Anselm's Morgan Perry, who had defeated the Brakettes in their last meeting.
Val Suto started things early with a single. A fielder's choice where the fielder tried to get Suto at second unsuccessfully put Theresa Kane on. Denise Denis sacrificed the runners into scoring position, allowing a hard single by Jolie Duffner to score one run and Alex Heinen to single in the other for the early lead.
After a leadoff single by Tiff Mangiameli, Balschmiter retired the next eight batters while Perry retired seven straight before a Jolie Duffner double in the third.
Ashley Landolina halved the lead with a home run to left in the top of the sixth.
However, Stratford came back with some heroics from the bottom of the linup as Alex Heinen doubled to rightfield. Lauren Pitney then singled through the gap into left, taking second as the ball was bobbled. Sam Rodriguez laid down a sacrifice. An errant throw to the plate scored Heinen, and a wild throw attempting to catch Pitney allowed her to score for the final 4-1 score.
Brandice Balschmiter (9-2) allowed only two hits and two walks while striking out ten in the winning effort. Val Suto, Jolie Duffner, Alex Heinen, and Heather Holly each had two hit games.
The Brakettes return Saturday with a charity exhibition against the Stratford Fire Department. Next week is a road trip as the Brakettes travel to Allentown on Friday to face the Patriettes at Pates Park, then visit Lyons, PA for two double headers against the Lyons Spirit. All games will be broadcast on Brakettes.com.
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| Friday, July 20th vs. CT Eliminators |
| First Game, 7:00 PM |
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Second Game |
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| ELIMINATORS |
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8 |
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| BRAKETTES |
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Batteries: Eliminators- Kristi Van Meter (L) and Madeira Alexander; Brakettes- Nicole Williams (W, 5-0) and Megan Hodgdon
Homerun: Lauren Pitney (7) |
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| BRAKETTES |
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Batteries: Eliminators- Morgan Perry (L) and Michelle Theilgard; Brakettes- Brandice Balschmiter (W, 9-2) and Sam Rodriguez
Homerun: Eliminators - Ashley Landolina |
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