Brakettes Make Short Work of Mirage

June 29, 2012 - The Stratford Brakettes twice run-ruled the Connecticut Mirage on Friday night at DeLuca Field, as Brandice Balschmiter picked up both wins. Balschmiter threw a five-inning perfect game in the nightcap, striking out four batters along the way.

Balschmiter improved to 16-0 on the season with the pair of victories, as she stretched the Brakettes' 2012 mark to 24-0. The Brakettes have now won a franchise record 143 straight games.

Alisa Heronema reached on a single in the bottom of the first of the early game and went to second when the Mirage infield lost track of her. Ashley Waters sacrificed her to third and Heronema raced home on a groundout by Denise Denis for the game's first run.

Stratford picked up two more in the second inning, as Mandie Fishback led off with a double. She scored on a double by Becca Carden , who stole third after pushing the lead to 2-0. Jess Mouse followed with the Brakettes' third straight double to score Carden, giving the Brakettes a 3-0 advantage.

Waters reached base on an error to start the third and went to second on a walk by Denis. A wild pitch moved both runners up a bag, and then Fishback singled with one out to bring in two more runs. Fishback moved to second on an error in right field. Carden then pushed Fishback across with a single for a 6-0 margin.

Kate Bowen blasted her first homer of the season over the fence in right, a two-run shot which also scored Carden. The Brakettes led 8-0 after three innings.

Jess Tait contributed the first hit for the Mirage in the fourth, a leadoff double. Maddy McManus had a single to put runners on the corners with no outs. Although Tait was gunned down at the plate, McManus scored the only run for the Mirage on a fielding error by Fishback, pulling the Mirage within 8-1.

Whitney Tuthill started the game for the Mirage, but was relieved by Katie Alfieri in the fourth. Tuthill also had the other hit for the Mirage.

Waters scored the last run in the home fourth, moving up a base on a hit by Call. Fishback brought Waters home with her third hit of the contest, closing out the scoring at 9-1.

Balschmiter retired the side in the top of the fifth to close of the win. She struck out six batters in the first win.

The second game was all about Balschmiter, who mowed down all fifteen batters she faced for the perfecto. The Brakettes gave her all the offense she would need in the first.

Waters doubled in the first and scored on a single by Denis for a 1-0 edge. Denis stole second and moved up on a hit by Fishback.

Kate Bowen followed and singled in two runs for the early 3-0 advantage.

Denis also doubled in the third and scored on a double by Fishback, who eventually came home on a groundout by Amber Radomski. Stratford held a 5-0 lead going into the fourth.

After a single by Heronema in the home fourth, Waters doubled to put two in scoring position.

Denis Denis launched her first homer of the 2012 campaign over the centerfield fence, a three-run shot to put the Brakettes up, 8-0.

Balschmiter struck out the side in the fifth to secure the perfect game. She was named the CPTV Sports Player of the Game after the two-win showing.

CPTV Sports recorded both games for future broadcast on the 24-hour, all-sports channel. Check out cptvsports.org to see the channel listings for your cable provider.

The Brakettes will play three games in pool play on Saturday in the Lyons Ballfiedl Fourth of July Tournament in Lyons, PA. The Brakettes will face the Jersey Renegades at 10:30, the Lady Fireballs at 12:15, and the PA Shooting Stars at 3:45.

All games from Lyons will be webcast (AUDIO ONLY) at brakettes.com.