Offense, Defense Take Turns in Saturday's Sweep

August 1, 2009 - The Brakettes blasted past the Hudson Valley Express Saturday in Stratford, with a 20-0 first game victory, and a 3-1 pitcher's duel in the late game. The Brakettes impressed the locals at DeLuca Field with an early offensive outburst, and a textbook display of defense in the nightcap.

Carly Normandin put Stratford on the board early, as she led off the bottom of the first with a single. She then stole second base, and was sacrificed to third by Ashley Waters. Denise Denis blooped a single behind second base to score Normandin, and give the Brakettes a 1-0 lead.

The Brakettes picked up another run in the second, as Bailey Sanders reached on a one-out single. Sanders was forced out at second on a grounder by Stacey Lajoie, who reached safely on the fielder’s choice. Lajoie stole second base to get in scoring position, and crossed home plate on a bloop single by Lindsey Kay Bright.

Denis had her hand in another run in the third, as she led off with a single. Denis stole second base, and was pushed to third on a single by Jess Mouse. Amber Radomski drove Denis home with a sac fly, and the Brakettes were up 3-0. Mouse would also score in the inning, as she stole second, and scored on an error when Sanders grounded to short.

The Brakettes enjoyed a 4-0 cushion going into the fourth, when they exploded for 16 runs on 15 hits. The inning was highlighted by a pair of three-run homers by Denis and Mouse, each of whom also had three hits in the frame. Stratford batted around twice, and sent 21 batters to the plate. Sanders and Bright each had doubles in the inning, and Normandin also had three hits and a pair of RBI’s.

Jen Russell retired the side in order in the top of the fifth, as Stratford cruised to a run-rule shortened decision. Russell struck out three in the game and allowed just two hits. She improved to 11-2 on the season with the win.

Bailey Sanders took to the mound in the late matchup, and struck out nine to earn the win. She allowed four hits and one run, which gave the Express a first inning lead. Sanders improved to 15-1 with the victory, as the Brakettes stretched their mark to 42-5.

The Express took the early 1-0 lead after Kacie DeMaio reached on a walk to start the game. DeMaio stole second base, and was pushed to third on a single by Sara Lima. With runners at the corners and no outs, Sanders retired the next two batters, but threw a wild pitch to allow DeMaio to come home. Sanders struck out the next batter to get out of the inning.

The Express held onto the lead until the second inning, when Mandie Fishback scored on a single by Jill Cimminello. Fishback reached on a leadoff walk, and was moved into scoring position on a sac by Mouse.

The Brakettes broke the 1-1 stalemate in the fourth, when Denis led off with a walk. She stole second, and scooted to third when no one was at second base to receive the throw. Mouse delivered a single which scored Denis, and gave the Brakettes a 2-1 lead.

Mouse scored the Brakettes' last run in the bottom of the sixth, after reaching on an error. Jess Serio came in as a pinch-hitter, and laid down a sac bunt to advance Mouse to second. Cimminello grounded toward the shortstop, and Mouse jumped to avoid the ball on her way to third. As the ball kicked away from the shortstop, Mouse ran home for a 3-1 lead.

The Brakettes showcased their defensive prowess in the late game, as both Normandin and Denis had outfield assists to get force outs, and Waters and Fishback both turned in numerous big plays in the field.

The Brakettes will play again Sunday night against the Rhode Island Thunder Gold at 5:00 at DeLuca Field in Stratford. Both games of the doubleheader will be broadcast right here at brakettes.com.