Brakettes Split Doubleheader with Newtown Rock on Opening Night

June 4, 2010 - The Stratford Brakettes won the first game of their 2010 campaign on Friday night, with a 4-2 decision over the Newtown Rock (PA) Gold. The Rock bounced back, however, to capture the second game 7-3.

Rachele Fico (1-0) struck out eight in the first game, while walking one. She scattered seven hits and allowed one earned run.

Carly Normandin and Ashley Waters each picked up two hits in the early game, as the Brakettes rallied to break a 2-2 tie with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Christine DellaVecchia scored from second base on a wild pitch, giving the Brakettes a 3-2 lead. Waters provided Fico with an insurance run, driving in Normandin from third on a single through the left side.

Erin Gallagher (0-1) made her Brakettes’ debut in the second game, and did not allow a hit through four innings. Gallagher also struck out eight, but was undone in the late innings by poor defense. The Brakettes committed four errors in the nightcap, after a two-error showing in the early contest.

The Brakettes found themselves down 4-1 after five innings, but rallied to within 4-3 in the sixth. Lindsey Kay Bright was tagged out at home as she tried to score the tying run, and the Brakettes never drew closer.

Stratford was within a run entering the seventh, and prepared to bring up the top of the order in the bottom of the inning. But the floodgates again opened up, as the Rock picked up three more runs to push the lead to 7-3.

Sam Greiner pitched both games of the doubleheader for the Newtown Rock, and kept the Brakettes off-balance most of the night. Greiner retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to secure the victory.

Denise Denis singled and scored in the late game, and drove in a run on a sacrifice fly. Normandin picked up a double and scored, while Mandie Fishback also tallied a base hit and scored a run.

The Brakettes (1-1) and the Newtown Rock will again match up for a pair of games on Saturday night at 7:00, at DeLuca Hall of Fame Field in Stratford.

All Brakettes games are broadcast live at brakettes.com.