Brakettes Play Philly Force Tough, But Fall Short 2-0

July 2, 2009 - The Stratford Brakettes lost to the Philadelphia Force 2-0 Thursday night in Allentown, PA, at ECTB Stadium, dropping their first decision of the season.

Bailey Sanders went four strong innings for the Brakettes, allowing four hits, with one strikeout and one walk allowed. Her record now stands at 8-1, with the Brakettes at 16-1 for the season.

The Brakettes struggled against Force starter Jessica Sallinger, who went four innings to pick up the win. Sallinger retired the first eleven Brakettes she faced, until Denise Denis ripped a single through the right side with two outs in the fourth.

Philadelphia scored one in the first and another in the second, and plated both of their runs with two outs. Jami Lobpries worked a walk in the bottom of the first, after Sanders had retired Clare Burnum and Brette Reagan to start the frame. Megan Gibson followed with a double to the left field fence, scoring Lobpries for a 1-0 Force lead.

Stacy Birk launched a two-out homer to right field in the home second, giving the Force a 2-0 lead, one that would stand for the remainder of the contest. Birk also came on to pitch the seventh for Philly, earning the save.

The Brakettes were held to just two hits in the matchup, and only put three runners on base in the contest. Jess Mouse led off the top of the fourth with a walk, and was moved to second on a groundout by Amber Radomski. The Brakettes were unable to advance Mouse, and Stratford did not put another runner in scoring position all night.

The Force would threaten again in the fourth inning, putting runners at second and third with one out. Sanders retired the last two batters she faced to halt the rally, giving way to new Brakette Jackie Lawrence in the fifth.

Lawrence made her debut in the fifth, putting two runners on, but managed to get out of trouble unscathed. She also loaded the bases in the sixth, but again escaped without giving up a run. Lawrence struck out Sam Yodowitz for the first out, and then benefited from a Force baserunning miscue.

Alex Newton broke home from third on what appeared to be a suicide squeeze, but was caught in a rundown when Lilly Hammond did not bunt the pitch from Lawrence. Serio eventually tagged Newton out at third, and the other runners each moved up a base. Hammond then grounded back to Lawrence to end the threat.

Jess Serio singled with one out in the top of the seventh, and was pinch-run for by Jenna Lopez. Stratford’s next two batters were set down by Birk to end the Brakettes’ night.

The Brakettes and Force will meet up again at ECTB Stadium in Allentown, PA on Friday night at 7:30. Follow all the action right here at brakettes.com.