Brakettes Win Two in Pool Play as Denis Slams Way to Home Run Record

August 7, 2009 - The Stratford Brakettes opened the Women’s Major Softball Championship with wins over the NYC Havoc, 5-1, and the Outten (PA) Trailblazers, 13-0, on Thursday in Stratford. Denise Denis hit two homers in the rout of the Trailblazers, including a grand slam, which tied the Brakettes’ single-season home run record of 15 long balls.

The Havoc started things off in the top of the first, as Nicole Adisano reached on a throwing error by Brakette starter Kasey Barrett. Shannon Skeggs grounded to second to push Adisano to second, putting a runner in scoring position with one out. Adisano then came home on another throwing error, and the Havoc led 1-0.

Stratford answered the call in the bottom of the inning, as the first six batters reached base safely. The Brakettes put up three runs in the frame, but the damage could have been worse.

Carly Normandin led off the bottom of the first with a single, and advanced to third on a double by Ashley Waters. Denis was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, bringing Molly Johnson to the plate. Johnson roped a double to score Normandin and Waters, while moving Denis to third. Mandie Fishback walked to load the bases for Jess Mouse.

Mouse earned a bases-loaded walk to force in another run, putting the Brakettes up 3-1. The Havoc escaped the jam by turning a double play on a come-backer by Amber Radomski, getting the force play at home and Radomski at first. Killian Roessner grounded out to second to end the inning.

Normandin led off the fourth with a single, but never returned to the bag, instead waiting for the throw back to the pitching circle. Normandin took off for second before the pitcher toed the rubber, giving Stratford a runner in scoring position. Waters came through with her second double of the contest, scoring Normandin for a 4-1 tally.

Normandin scored again in the sixth, as she led off with a double. Molly Johnson delivered a two-out single to score Normandin, closing out the scoring at 5-1.

Johnson went 3-for4 in the game with two doubles, as did Waters. Normandin was 3-for-4 with a double and a pair of base hits.

Barrett struck out four Havoc batters, and allowed one hit, a single by Jessica Dima in the fourth inning. She improved to 8-0 with the victory.

Jen Russell pitched the night game against the Outten Trailblazers, striking out five and giving up just three hits. She improved to 12-2 on the season with the win.

Normandin set the table again in the top of the fifth, getting hit by a pitch, and advancing to second on a wild pitch. Waters walked to put two on, and Denis grounded out to push the runners to second and third. Johnson grounded out to short, sending Normandin home for a 1-0 lead.

Waters reached on a one-out single in the third, bringing up Denis. The right fielder came in needing two homers to tie the Brakettes’ single-season record of 15, previously reached by Pat Dufficy and Germaine Fairchild. Denis launched her 14th dinger over the fence in right, putting the Brakettes up 3-0.

Bailey Sanders led off the fourth inning with her second single of the game, and was sacrificed over to second by Roessner. Lindsey Kay Bright reached on a bunt single, sending Sanders to third. Normandin grounded to second base to score Sanders, putting the Brakettes up 4-0.

The Brakettes scored nine runs in the fifth inning, sending 12 batters to the plate. Stratford picked up five hits in the inning, including two homers, one of which made Brakette history.

With an 8-0 lead, Denis came up with the bases loaded. The Trailblazers brought in former Brakette Jen (Huyett) Schroeder out of the bullpen, and was given a friendly greeting from the Brakette faithful in attendance.

Denis clobbered a grand slam to right field, tying the record in dramatic fashion, and putting Stratford up 12-0. P.A. announcer Hal Baird made mention of the milestone, and the crowd cheered loudly to pay tribute to the slugger.

Johnson followed Denis and knocked her second homer of the season, giving Stratford back-to-back long balls and a 13-0 lead.

Russell struck out three Trailblazers in the bottom of the fifth, closing out a run-rule shortened win for the Brakettes. Stratford improved to 47-5 with the pair of wins, and captured the top seed in Pool C. They will return to action Friday night in Winner's Bracket play at 7:30 against the winner of a matchup between the Lyons (PA) Spirit and the Stratford Breakers.

All tournament games from the Women’s Major Softball Championship are being broadcast right here at brakettes.com.