Brakettes Blast Off; Take Two from Lyons Spirit

July 11, 2009 - The Brakettes launched five home runs in a doubleheader sweep of the Lyons Spirit, Saturday night at DeLuca Field. Ashley Waters and Jess Mouse homered in each game, and the Brakettes won both in run-rule shortened fashion, by 8-0 and 11-1 scores.

Jen Russell allowed just one hit in the first game, a second inning single by Denise Henderson. She struck out two, walking none, and faced just one batter more than the minimum.

Carly Normandin singled leading off the Brakettes’ first, and scored on a two-run homer by Waters, her eight of the year. Denise Denis walked and stole second, and scored on a double by Jess Serio, moving the lead to 3-0. Mouse then followed with a two-run homer of her own, putting the Brakettes up 5-0.

The 5-0 lead stood until the fourth, when Stratford picked up three more runs. Normandin led off the frame with a single, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. She went to third on a groundout by Waters, and scored on a single by Denis.

Jess Serio came up after Denis and smacked her first homer of the year, a two-run shot, which pushed the lead to 8-0.

Russell worked a 1-2-3 fifth inning to close out the early contest. She improved to 6-1 on the season.

Bailey Sanders pitched the second game for Stratford, scattering three hits, and allowing one run. She struck out seven and walked none.

The Brakettes had a huge second inning, sending 12 batters to the plate, while putting up seven runs. Serio led off with a single, and scored on the second homer of the night by Mouse.

Mandie Fishback reached on a single, and Jenna Lopez got on base on a fielder’s choice, sending Amber Radomski to the plate. Radomski smacked a double to score Fishback and Lopez, giving Stratford a 4-0 lead. Lindsey Kay Bright earned a walk, bringing up Normandin. Radomski was tagged out on a grounder by Normandin for the first out, leaving two runners on for Ashley Waters.

Waters put the game out of reach with a three-run homer, her ninth of the year, which tied Denis for the team’s lead. The Brakettes enjoyed a 7-0 cushion, and would add to it in the third.

The Spirit drew closer in the top of the third, as Shannon Lebel singled to score Karen Bauer from second. Bauer, who had two hits in the game, reached on a two-out double.

With a 7-1 lead, the Brakettes went to work in the bottom of the third. Radomski doubled with one out, and moved to third on a passed ball. Normandin singled, scoring Radomski, giving Stratford an 8-1 advantage. Waters followed with a single, with Normandin moving to third. Denis contributed a single to score Normandin, moving Waters to third.

A wild pitch allowed Waters to come home with the team’s tenth run, and Denis to move to second. Mouse then singled home Denis from second, closing out the scoring at 11-1.

Sanders retired the side in order in the top of the fifth, bringing about another run-rule shortened decision. Sanders pushed her record to 11-1 with the win, as the Brakettes improved to 25-4 on the season.

The teams will meet again on Sunday at 12 noon in Stratford, at DeLuca HOF Field. Follow the action live right here at brakettes.com.