Breakers Surpass Saints for Championship Game Berth

Sunday, August 9, Game 17 - Sara Plourde pitched the Stratford Breakers into the title game of the 2009 WMS Championship, beating the St. Louis Saints 2-1 on Sunday morning at DeLuca Field in Stratford, CT. The win was the second straight upset pulled off by the Breakers, who also eliminated the Brakettes prior to the matchup with the Saints.

The Breakers got on the board first, as Sara Plourde led off the second inning with a single. Plourde was forced out, as Mariclaire Rebman fielded a grounder and fired to Courtney Kennedy at second. Kelsey Tuthill reached on the fielder's choice, and was then sacrificed to second by Meryl Rigaini. Sarah Calgreen lofted a looping single over the head of Saint shortstop Ashley Hall and into left. Tuthill came home from second to score, putting the Breakers up 1-0.

Priscilla Alicea gave the Breakers some breathing room in the bottom of the fourth, when she blasted a one-out home run to dead center. The solo shot gave the Breakers a 2-0 lead, and all the insurance Plourde would need to move the Breakers to the final.

Plourde went the distance and struck out seven en route to the victory. She had already pitched seven innings against the Brakettes earlier that morning, but hardly appeared to tire on the mound. Plourde allowed just four hits in the contest, after limiting the Brakettes to three in the previous game.

The Saints rallied in the fourth inning, but could only bring home one run. Amanda Clack led off with a rocket shot right back at Plourde, who was hit by the liner. Clack reached on an infield single, as the ball bounced off of Plourde and toward third base. Jen Stahlhut also singled to put two on with one out. After a wild pitch from Plourde allowed the runners to move to second and third, Mariclaire Rebman walked to load the bases. After Plourde induced a pop up for the second out, Erin DeStefano came to the plate with two down in the inning.

DeStefano chopped a high grounder back to Plourde, who went home with the throw. Clack was safe at the plate, pulling St. Louis to within 2-1. Plourde struck out the next batter to retire the side.

The Saints threatened again in the fifth, putting runners at second and third with just one out.

Hall led off with a single, and moved to second on a sac bunt by Ashley Barr. Clack reached on an error, which sent Hall to third. Clack took second without a throw, giving St. Louis two in scoring position. Plourde again rose to the occasion, as she set down the next two batters to get out of the jam.

The Saints could not produce a game-tying run, as Plourde continued to dominate. Plourde would go on to earn the Micki Stratton Award, as the MVP of the tournament.

Ashley Hall was named to the All-Tournament First Team at shortstop, and Amanda Clack was named an All-Tournament First Team utility pick for her contributions as a pitcher, shortstop, and centerfielder.