Brakettes Finish Short-Handed PA Sweep

June 17, 2012 - Brandice Balschmiter closed out an impressive three-day stretch with a pair of victories on Sunday in Lyons, PA, including a run rule-shortened perfect game in the finale.

Balschmiter struck out six batters in the five-inning, 9-0 perfecto against the Shockers, as the Stratford Brakettes closed out their five-game Pennsylvania road trip on a high note. Balschmiter threw all 27 innings of the five games in Lyons, PA, as she was the Brakettes' only available pitcher.

After a slow start in the Sunday morning matchup against the Lyons (PA) Spirit, the Brakettes broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning and then cruised to an 8-1 win over their familiar foes.

Stratford took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, as Steph Call led off with a towering 261-foot triple to center, which bounced and hit the permanent homerun fence on just one hop. No player has cleared the fence at Lyons, although former Brakettes Beth Boden and Jess Serio have hit it in the air.

Call raced home to score the team's first run on a grounder by Mandie Fishback to the left side, while drawing the throw from Spirit shortstop Karen Bauer.

The Brakettes' 1-0 lead would quickly be erased in the bottom of the second.
Liz Gall led off the home second with a single and moved up a bag on a sacrifice by Sarah Maulorico. Gall advanced to third on a single by Denise Henderson.

With one out, Rose Pitkin deflected a shot off Balschmiter's glove. Brakette shortstop Fishback picked the ball of the carom and got the out at first, but Gall crossed the plate to even the game up at 1-1.

The Brakettes regained the lead in the top of the fourth, giving Balschmiter all the offense she would need. Jess Mouse reached on a single with one out in the frame and scored when Amber Radomski grounded to the left side. An errant throw across the diamond sent Mouse home with the tie-breaking run, as the ball sailed into right field.

Stratford picked up four more in the fifth, as Becca Carden started the rally with a walk. Carly Normandin contributed a single, pushing Carden to second. Mouse ripped another base hit to score Carden for a 3-1 lead, while moving Normandin to second.

Radomski earned a walk to load the bases for Alisa Heronema, who came through with her second hit of the game. Heronema drove in two with the hit, stretching the lead to 5-1. Denise Denis then reached on a fielder's choice, which allowed Radomski to score from third for a 6-1 advantage.

The Brakettes added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings.

Carden tripled in the sixth and scored on a grounder by Normandin for a 7-1 lead.

Denis scored the last Brakette run in the seventh on a single to right field, combined with a pair of errors on the play.

Balschmiter struck out eight in seven innings against the Spirit, while giving up five hits and walking two.

The Brakettes entered the last contest of the weekend with a tired pitcher, although Balschmiter didn't show any signs of the fatigue she had to deal with. She struck out six in five perfect innings against the (Blandon, PA) Shockers, extending her record to 11-0, while leading the Brakettes to their 135th consecutive win.

Stratford would also assure a short game for Balschmiter, erupting for five runs in the first inning, on their way to the 9-0 victory.

Heronema led off the home first with a bunt single and was forced out at second on a bunt by Ashley Waters. Denis launched a triple to left-center, scoring Waters for a 1-0 edge. Call followed with a single to plate Denis, and the rout was on.

Fishback reached on an error, which sent Call to third. With two in scoring position, Carden laced a triple to drive in two more, giving the Brakettes a 4-0 lead.

Normandin delivered an RBI single to score Carden, extending the margin to 5-0.

Heronema picked up the second of her three late-game hits in the second, leading off with an infield single. She scooted into second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a grounder by Waters. Denis drove in another run with her second hit of the game, putting the Brakettes up, 6-0.

Denis moved up a bag on a single by Call, but was eventually forced out at third on a fielder's choice by Fishback. Call cruised into second on the play and scored on a base hit by Carden for a 7-0 lead.

Carden also raced around the bags for an inside-the-park homer in the fourth inning, her first long ball of the year, which gave Stratford a 9-0 advantage.

Denis helped secure the perfect game in the fifth inning, as she made a great catch in right field to close out the contest. Shocker catcher Tonya Lance drilled a line drive, which Denis hauled in with a quick read and a sliding catch to her right.

The Brakettes will return to DeLuca Field on Friday night, June 22nd, to play the CT Eliminators in a 7:00 doubleheader. The previously scheduled doubleheader for this Thursday evening, June 21st, has been canceled.

Friday's games will be live video webcast at brakettes.com.