VIP's Edge Brakettes to Capture 41st Annual Topton Fourth of July Tournament

July 5, 2009 - The Stratford Brakettes were beaten by the Topton VIP's Sunday afternoon in Lyons, PA, in the championship game of the 41st Annual Topton Fourth of July Tournament. Izzy Trottier pitched the VIP's to the 2-1 victory, their second consecutive upset of the Brakettes, after 51 consecutive losses to Stratford.

Trottier picked up the Tournament's Most Valuable Pitcher Award, after defeating the Brakettes twice in the same day. Trottier (16-3 on the season) allowed seven hits in the championship, after scattering just three safeties in the early matchup.

The Brakettes scored early, with a run in the top of the first. Ashley Waters led off with a line drive, inside-the-park homer to left to put the Brakettes up 1-0. Trottier would not allow another run, while stranding five runners on base.

Topton answered right back in the bottom of the first, putting the pressure back on Brakettes’ starter Jen Russell. Tony DeFilippo walked with one out, and moved to second on a fielder’s choice. Candace Clark singled through the left side, sending DeFilippo home with the equalizer.

Tournament MVP Steph Denlinger smacked a leadoff triple in the home fifth, prompting manager John Stratton to lift Russell in favor of Bailey Sanders.

Clark reached first base on a fielder’s choice, but Denlinger had to stay put at third. Liz Gall then placed a perfect squeeze bunt to plate Denlinger with the go-ahead run.

With a 2-1 lead, Trottier was able to retire Denise Denis and Jess Serio to start the sixth inning. Mandie Fishback and Jess Mouse both reached with singles, giving Stratford two on with two outs. Amber Radomski grounded to shortstop Lindsay Trottier, who fielded and threw to third for the force.

The Brakettes again had a chance in the top of the seventh, as Stacy Lajoie reached with a leadoff single. Jenna Lopez bunted Lajoie to second base, giving the Brakettes a runner in scoring position with one out. Trottier would not back down, and induced grounders by Waters and Lindsey Kay Bright, clinching the championship for the host team.

Russell went four-plus innings in defeat, striking out two. Sanders struck out three in her two frames of relief. Lajoie and Fishback each had two hits in the contest.

The Brakettes dropped to 18-4 with the loss. Russell fell to 4-1 on the season.

Stratford will return to action on Thursday night at DeLuca Hall of Fame Field in Stratford, CT, with a 7:00 doubleheader against the Xtreme Chaos. Watch live right here at brakettes.com.