Brakettes Defeat CT High School All-Stars as Fico Shines For Both Teams

June 20, 2009 - The Stratford Brakettes enjoyed a dry return to DeLuca Field Friday night, capturing a nine-inning, 10-0 victory over the CT High School All-Stars. Rachele Fico (Masuk H.S.-Monroe) pitched the first three innings for the All-Stars, striking out four Brakettes, while allowing no hits. She changed uniforms after the brief stint with her peers, and hurled three more hitless innings for the Brakettes, striking out eight All-Stars.

Bailey Sanders started for the Brakettes, going three innings to pick up her fifth win of the season. Sanders struck out six batters, while giving up just one hit, a second inning single to Christine Della Vecchia (St. Joseph H.S.-Trumbull).

The Brakettes got on the scoreboard in the second inning, when Mandie Fishback earned a leadoff walk. Amber Radomski sacrificed her over, and Fishback rounded second and took off for third as the throw nabbed Radomski at first. The throw back across the diamond sailed away from the third baseman, sending Fishback home to score.

Kirsten Allen pitched the middle innings for the Brakettes, striking out four. She allowed a lone base hit to Katherine McCluskey (East Hampton H.S.) in the fifth frame.

Jenn Cruver (North Haven H.S.) took the mound for the All-Stars in the fourth inning, and gave up a leadoff walk to Denise Denis. The speedy rightfielder earned her second walk of the game, and stole second base, just as she did in the first inning. She also swiped third, and eventually scored on an RBI groundout by Fishback.

The Brakettes again put the leadoff hitter on in the fourth inning, and once more it came back to hurt the All-Stars. Stacy Lajoie singled for the Brakettes, and advanced to second, as the ball skipped away from the leftfielder. Jill Cimminello reached on an infield single, but Lajoie had to stay at second, with the play deep in the shortstop hole. Lajoie stole third, and Cimminello took second, putting two runners in scoring position. Carly Normandin drove in Lajoie with a sacrifice fly to center to extend the lead to 3-0.

Cruver worked a scoreless sixth inning, before giving way to Katie Hobson (Guilford H.S.), who pitched the next two innings.

Stratford tacked on a couple more in the seventh, manufacturing two runs with some small ball. Normandin was hit by a pitch with one out, and then stole second. Ashley Waters walked and Denis singled, loading the bases. Jess Mouse worked a walk to send Normandin home. With the bases still loaded, Sanders grounded to the left side, sending Waters home for the 5-0 advantage.

Jenna Lopez led off the eighth with a solo shot to dead center, her second homer of the season. Lajoie followed with a walk, and reached second on a passed ball. She was driven home by a double by Normandin, putting the Brakettes up 7-0.

Waters pushed the lead to 9-0 with a two-run shot to left, her first home run on the year. Denis then singled and was plated on a double by Jess Mouse, closing out the scoring at 10-0.

Denis was 3-for-3 on the night, with two walks, three stolen bases, and a pair of runs scored. Radomski had two hits for the Brakettes, while Normandin, Waters, and Lajoie all scored two runs.

In a game that saw the unprecedented double-duty by Fico, it was no surprise to also see the All-Stars bat all 18 of their players in alphabetical order. Fico was the tough luck loser in the game, giving up just one unearned run in the second inning, but also picked up the save by working the last three innings for Stratford. She struck out a combined 12 batters between her appearances for both teams.

The Brakettes return to action Saturday night at 6:00 at DeLuca Field against the New York Freedom. Both games of the doubleheader will be webcast right here at brakettes.com.