Brakettes' Ageless Wonders Provide Heroics in 1-0 Win Over Thunder

July 6, 2006 - The Brakettes got a huge lift from their most senior members Wednesday, as Kaci Clark pitched a two-hit shutout, and Germaine Fairchild hit a solo shot to push Connecticut to a 1-0 victory over the Texas Thunder. Clark and Fairchild were also the last Brakettes to make it to the ballpark, as both experienced lengthy flight delays, due to thunderstorms in the Houston area. Despite having just about 30 minutes to get ready, the veterans were able to deliver in the clutch.

Clark showed signs of her championship form in striking out eight, walking only one, and confusing opposing batters with a steady diet of drops and changeups.  She was perfect through four innings, and faced her biggest challenge in the fifth. After giving up a leadoff double to Danyele Gomez, Clark struck out the next three batters swinging to get out of trouble. Gomez was stranded at third, where she stood after a wild pitch allowed her to advance. Clark was all smiles after the game, as she reflected, “I was just able to keep them off-balance, as my drop and change were really working. Germaine did such great job in calling the game, and I just tried to hit her glove. It’s nice to be able to contribute in such a way, especially after such a tough day of travel.” Clark was brilliant in getting the best of the Thunder, and ace Christa Williams. Williams struck out nine, and only gave up two hits, the first of which provided enough firepower for the Brakettes.

With one out in the fifth, Fairchild blasted a shot to left field that Gomez crashed through the fence trying to snag. It was Germaine’s second homer of the year, and was enough for the Brakettes to eke past the Thunder. Williams leads the league with eight wins and 74 strikeouts, and has two gold medals under her belt. Fairchild was happy to get the best of Williams in the fifth. “I just kept battling in that at-bat. I took a couple close ones, which were just outside, and fouled a few off. I knew that Christa didn’t want to give me anything too good on the 3-2 count, but I figured it would be close enough to the plate to try to hit. This is a great win for us, and it was great to see Kaci so commanding as well.”

Williams, who led the league in wins, strikeouts, and ERA last year, dropped to 8-1 on the season. Clark improved to 1-2, as the Brakettes now stand at 11-5 in NPF play. The loss dropped Texas to 12-9. The second game of the series will be played Thursday at 8:05 Eastern Time, and will be webcast at ctbrakettes.com. Sarah Pauly will be the starting pitcher for Connecticut.

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