Brakettes Salvage Series Split With 3-0 Shutout

August 13, 2006 - The Connecticut Brakettes shut out the first place Chicago Bandits on Saturday afternoon, 3-0 at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL behind a complete game two-hitter by Nikki Myers. Kellie Wilkerson went 3-4, with a double, two singles, an RBI, and a run scored. Jessica Merchant added a solo shot to increase her NPF-leading total to 11 long balls on the season. The win provided a big boost to the Brakettes, who had dropped the two previous decisions to the Bandits. With the victory, Connecticut became the only NPF team all year to win two games in Chicago's home ballpark. The Brakettes, who had already qualified for the NPF Championship Series, once again moved into sole possession of second place, as the New England Riptide lost 1-0 to the Akron Racers.

The Brakettes jumped on Chicago starter Jessica Sallinger right from the beginning, as Kelly Kretschman led off the game with an opposite field double. Kretschman, hitting .400, leads the NPF in batting average. Wilkerson followed with a single to right-center, which sent Kretschman home for the first Brakettes' run. Wilkerson was thrown out at second, trying to stretch it into a double. Merchant then followed suit with her solo homer, extending the lead to 2-0. Merchant's .343 average is fourth-best in the league, and her 26 RBI's put her in second place in league standings.

The Brakettes again scored in the third inning, as Wilkerson drilled a double to left. She then scored on a fielding error by second baseman Anne Steffan.

Nikki Myers had a no-hitter going until the fifth inning, when Jamie Clark singled to left with one out. Myers allowed four walks to go along with the two hits she gave up, but consistently got out of trouble. She was able to confuse the Bandits' hitters with a variety of off-speed pitches, and picked up seven strikeouts for the outing.

With just two weeks before the NPF Championship Series starts, the four-team field has been filled out. The Bandits, Brakettes, New England Riptide, and Akron Racers are in spots 1-4 respectively, although the teams will continue to jockey for seeding position for the playoffs. The Championships will be August 26th and 27th at Frank DeLuca HOF Field in Stratford, CT, with the Brakettes serving as the host team. Two semi-final matchups will be played on Saturday the 26th, with the winners of those games advancing to the final on Sunday the 27th. Advance ticket sales are available with packages starting at just $9 for the three games. Tickets may be purchased by calling (203) 378-7262, by e-mailing brakettes05@hotmail.com, or at any remaining home games.

With the win, Myers improved to 8-4 on the season, as Sallinger dropped to 6-4. Sallinger lasted only three innings, and was replaced by Peaches James in the fourth inning, who worked four scoreless innings. The Brakettes improved to 25-14, while the Bandits dropped to 27-9. The Bandits travel to play four games in Philadelphia starting Sunday, then four games in Akron. The Brakettes will play a four-game set against Team Canada at home this week starting Tuesday, then play make-up games with the Riptide and Philadelphia Force before the playoffs begin.

Back to News Index