Rachele Fico Perfect in Win over St. Louis Saints

July 31, 2010 - Rachele Fico delivered a performance for the record books Saturday night at Biondi Field in West Haven, hurling a perfect game to lead the Brakettes past the St. Louis Saints, 2-0, in the winner's bracket final of the 2010 Women's Major Softball National Championship.

The Brakettes’ bats were unusually dormant in the contest, managing just three hits off Saint’s starter Amanda Zust. Fico made sure that the lack of offensive firepower would not matter, striking out eight Saints batters and dominating from the outset.

The Brakettes scored both of their runs in the top of the first inning, when Carly Normandin led off with a single to right. She was sacrificed to second on a bunt by Ashley Waters, giving the Brakettes a runner in scoring position. Denis sent a base hit to left, pushing Normandin to third. The throw back to the infield sailed over the cutoff (photo), allowing Normandin to score for a 1-0 edge. Denis went all the way to third on the error, bringing Jess Serio to the plate.

Serio sent a towering shot to right field, deep enough to let Denis tag and head home with the Brakettes’ second run.

The 2-0 score would stand the rest of the way, as the pitchers took over.

Zust delivered an impressive performance, allowing just a fourth-inning single to Kristyn Sandberg and a pair of walks to Jess Mouse over the last six innings. At one point, she retired 16 of 17 batters.

Unfortunately for the Saints, Fico was simply brilliant throughout. She did not even allow a ball hit out of the infield until the fifth inning.

With the loss, the Saints will play the New York Freedom in the loser’s bracket final Sunday at 10:15. The Freedom advanced with a 1-0 victory over the defending champion New York City Havoc, assuring that there will be new champs this year.

The Brakettes advance to play in the championship game Sunday at 12 noon, and will take on the winner of the tilt between the Saints and Freedom. The Brakettes can clinch the championship with a single win, while their opponent would need to defeat Stratford twice to take home the hardware.

All games from the 2010 Women’s Major Softball National Championship are being broadcast at brakettes.com.