Brakettes Take Season Opener, Second Game Called due to Rain

June 2, 2012 - The Stratford Brakettes opened their 2012 season Friday night with a 7-0 win over the Newtown (PA) Rock, as Brandice Balschmiter delivered a dominant performance on the mound. The Brakettes have now won a franchise-record 120 straight games.

Balschmiter struck out 13 batters en route to a one-hitter, while walking none. The only safety off the former UMASS ace was an infield single by Amanda Germaldo in the fourth inning.

Stratford took advantage of 12 free passes issued by the Rock’s pitching staff. Christy Von Pusch started for Newtown, before giving way to Courtney Brandt in the second. The Brakettes managed only three hits in the contest, but their patient approach at the plate produced all the necessary offense.

Alisa Heronema started off the home first with a walk and went to third on a single by Ashley Waters. Denise Denis earned herself a walk to load the bases with no outs. Mandie Fishback then came through with a base hit up the middle to score Heronema and Waters for a 2-0 lead.

Becca Carden followed and grounded to the right side for the first out, but picked up an RBI as Denis raced home. Fishback moved up to third and eventually came home on a wild pitch to push the margin to 4-0.

Von Pusch walked two more batters in the second before being relieved by Brandt. With two on and one out, Denis worked another walk to load the bases. Brandt wiggled out of trouble by inducing a pop up off the bat of Fishback and striking out Carden looking.

Von Pusch struck out one and Brandt fanned three for the Rock, who dropped their first contest of 2012.

The Brakettes added to the ledger in the third, when newcomer Stacy Birk led off with a walk. Kate Bowen pushed Birk to second with a walk of her own, giving Stratford two on with no outs.

Player/coach Amber Radomski dropped a successful sacrifice bunt to move the runners up a bag, leaving first base open. With two outs, Waters hit a grounder and reached safely on an error when the ball glanced off the first baseman’s glove. Birk and Bowen crossed the plate on the miscue for a commanding 6-0 lead.

Denis led off the sixth with her third walk and later scored on a groundout by Birk, closing out the scoring at 7-0.

Balschmiter worked a 1-2-3 seventh inning to secure the victory, striking out the last two batters she faced.

Birk started the nightcap and struck out two in 1 and 2/3 innings before driving rains forced the suspension of the game. Birk also laced a first inning, two-run double down the line in left.

Carden was honored before the game as the 2011 Brakettes Batting Queen, having wrapped up her rookie season with a .485 average. Manager John Stratton presented her with a plaque at home plate to mark the accomplishment.

CPTV Sports recorded the game for later broadcast on their new 24-hour, all-sports network. The Brakettes will appear throughout the summer on CPTV Sports, and the broadcast schedule will be posted here once finalized.

The Brakettes will play the Rock in a 7:00 doubleheader Saturday night at DeLuca Field. Both games will be video webcast at www.brakettes.com.