Pair of Six-Run Innings Push Brakettes Past Topton

June 30, 2009 - The Stratford Brakettes captured both ends of a doubleheader from the Topton VIPs Sunday at DeLuca Field, by 8-0 and 9-1 tallies, as they swept a four-game weekend series from their longest-standing rivals.

The Brakettes used a six-run fourth inning in the early matchup and another six-run burst in the second frame of the late contest to take both games in run-rule shortened fashion.

Jen Russell had a strong showing in the first game, going the distance to improve to 2-0. She retired the first ten batters she faced before hitting Patti Garafolo with a pitch in the fourth. Steph Denlinger followed with Topton’s only base hit of the game to put two runners on with one out.

Russell struck out cleanup hitter Candace Clark and retired Jen Pawol to thwart the lone Topton threat. Russell finished with two strikeouts, and walked none.

The Brakettes broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning, with Amber Radomski leading off with a single. Stacy Lajoie pinch-ran for Radomski, and was safe at second on a fielder’s choice by Jenna Lopez. Mandie Fishback followed with an RBI single, scoring Lajoie for the first run. Lopez went from first to third on Fishback’s hit to center, and continued home after a throw to third base sailed wide of the bag. Fishback moved to second on the errant throw, putting herself in scoring position.

The lead was 2-0, but Topton helped the Brakettes continue the rally. Killian Roessner attempted a sac bunt, but popped it up toward first base. Denlinger tried to make the scoop, but dropped the ball after it hit her glove. Roessner was safe at first on the error, and Fishback held tight at second.

With two outs in the frame, Carly Normandin grounded up the middle. Roessner was forced out at second, but Toni DeFilippo’s throw to first missed the mark, allowing Fishback to extend the margin to 3-0.

Ashley Waters followed with an infield single, pushing Normandin to second. Denise Denis smacked a base hit to score both runners, moving the lead to 5-0. After a single by Jess Mouse, Radomski singled in Denis from second, bringing the rally to a close at 6-0.

Fishback and Roessner singled to start the fifth inning, and Jill Cimminello added a base hit of her own. Normandin doubled to score Fishback and Roessner, ending the game early with an 8-0 score.

Bailey Sanders picked up the win in the second game, striking out five along the way. She improved to 8-0 with the win, scattering just two hits and allowing one free pass.

Radomski led off the second inning and moved up a base on a sacrifice by Lopez. Lajoie reached on a bunt single, pushing Radomski to third. Lajoie stole second, giving Jess Arremony runners at second and third. Arremony singled to score both runners, giving Stratford the early 2-0 lead. Arremony advanced to second on the play.

Normandin then doubled, contributing her third two-base hit of the day, and scoring Arremony from second. Waters walked to put two runners on, bringing up Denis. The Brakettes’ lefty slugger walloped her team-leading seventh homer of the year, putting the Brakettes up 6-0.

The VIP’s scored their only run in the top of the third, when Lynn Spiezio reached on a one-out walk. DeFilippo doubled to left, sending Spiezio to third. Garafolo singled to score Spiezio, cutting the Topton deficit to 6-1.

Lajoie hit her first home run as a Brakette in the third, again putting the Brakettes up by six, 7-1.

Lajoie scored again in the fifth after reaching on a lead-off walk. Arremony sent Lajoie home with a double, setting Fishback up with a chance to end the game. Fishback singled to score Arremony, ending the game in five innings at 9-1.

The Brakettes return to the field Thursday night at 7:30 in Allentown, PA, against the Philadelphia Force of the NPF. The teams will play again Friday evening, with both nights featuring single games. Both games will be broadcast right here at brakettes.com.