Brakettes Slip Past Force 1-0

August 5, 2006 - The Connecticut Brakettes scored just one run Saturday night against the Philadelphia Force, after recording just one hit the night before. Thankfully for the locals, the modest offensive output was enough to get the best of the Force, 1-0, at Frank DeLuca HOF Field in Stratford, CT.

Connecticut scored in the third inning on an RBI single by Aimee Minor, scoring Germaine Fairchild from second base. Minor’s hit found a hole in left field, but Lindsey Cameron’s arm in left field beat Fairchild to the plate. After the tag was applied by Philadelphia catcher Ryan Realmuto, the inning seemed to have ended. However, the third base umpire ruled that third baseman Emily Friedman had blocked Fairchild’s base path as she rounded third. Fairchild took a noticeably wide turn at the bag, and was forced to run to the outside of third, instead of the shorter inside path. The run was allowed, as obstruction was called.

Both teams loaded the bases in the first inning, only to see Brakettes’ starter Sarah Pauly and Force hurler Jodie Cox wiggle out of trouble. After a wild start which seemed to favor the hitters, the game turned out to be a pitcher’s duel. Pauly threw seven scoreless innings, while giving up just two hits. She gave up three walks and struck out five. She improved her record to 12-4 on the year, while lowering her ERA to an NPF second-best 1.16. Cox went all six for the Force, giving up the lone run on six hits. She walked four and struck out one. She dropped to 1-5 with the loss.

Minor had two hits and the game-winning RBI, while Fairchild had a hit, a walk, and scored the only run.

The Brakettes improved to 22-12, following their third straight win in the series with Philadelphia. They are now 10 games over .500 for the second time of the season. Going back to the Brakettes’ first official NPF game on June 10th at Philadelphia, the Brakettes have taken all four meetings between the teams this year. The Force dropped to 9-22 in NPF standings.

Connecticut and Philadelphia will wrap up the series Sunday at 5:05 at Frank DeLuca HOF Field in Stratford, CT.

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