Brakettes Take Two From Newtown Rock, Need 11 Innings in First Game

June 5, 2010 - The Stratford Brakettes edged out the Newtown Rock (PA) Gold, 5-4, in 11 innings Saturday night, as Bailey Sanders' RBI groundout drove in Denise Denis with the winning run. The Brakettes also held on to capture the nightcap, 6-3, as Erin Gallagher picked up her first win as a Brakette.

The Brakettes fell behind 4-1 entering the bottom of the fifth, but scored three runs in the frame, tying it up at 4-4. Neither team would score again until Denis raced home with the decisive run in the 11th.

Carly Normandin walked to lead off the home first, and moved to second on a bunt single by Ashley Waters. After Mandie Fishback earned a walk, Jess Serio sent Normandin home with a sac fly to right field.

The Rock took the lead in the third inning, as Brittany Garvey and Lauren Gaskill each scored. D'Anna Devine contributed an RBI single, as the Rock went up 2-1.

Kylie McGoldrick singled with one out in the fifth, and Julie Wambold followed with a walk. Sam Creamer doubled both runners home to push the lead to 4-1.

Waters brought Stratford back to within two runs in the home fifth, as she drilled her first homer of the season to left field. Denis followed with a single to right, and stole second base. Serio singled to drive in Denis, and close to 4-3. Lindsey Kay Bright drove in Serio to tie it up at 4-4.

Erin Gallagher started for the Brakettes, but got into trouble in the third. Rachele Fico came on in relief with two outs in the third frame, and pitched the rest of the way to earn the win. Mary Kociencki started for the Rock, and was relieved by Sam Greiner in the fifth.

Gallagher and Kociencki both started the late game as well, as both relievers saw such extensive duty.

The Brakettes and Rock meet up again Sunday at 12 noon for another doubleheader at DeLuca Hall of Fame Field.