Brakettes Take Two From New York City Havoc

July 8, 2012 - The Stratford Brakettes earned a pair of shutouts over the New York City Havoc on Sunday, as Brandice Balschmiter picked up both victories. Ashley Waters smashed three home runs on the afternoon to lead the charge.

Balschmiter struck out 13 in the first game against the Havoc, giving up just three singles and a walk in seven dominating innings.

Alisa Heronema tripled to the fence in right in the home first and scored on a sac fly by Ashley Waters (lower photo). The early score proved to be an important one, as the Brakettes would not score again until the fifth inning.

Havoc starter Alyson Chiaramonte, the 2009 WMS Most Outstanding Pitcher, was strong until the late innings. She allowed base hits in the second, third and fourth innings, but wiggled out of trouble each time.

After Amber Radomski led off the fifth with a single, Waters clobbered a two-run homer to provide some separation from the 2009 WMS champs, putting Stratford up 3-0.

Steffi Call lofted an opposite-field solo shot in the sixth inning for a 4-0 lead, giving Balschmiter more insurance.

Balschmiter pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning to preserve the win.

Becca Carden had two hits in the game for the Brakettes, while Mandie Fishback and Tami Vermeulen also hit safely.

Nicole Adisano collected two hits for New York City, as Gina Gerone earned the team's other single.

The Brakettes would not wait long to get on the board in the second matchup, as Waters provided more power in the first.

After Heronema led off with a single, Waters blasted her second home run on the day for a 2-0 lead. Mandie Fishback followed with a double, chasing Havoc starter Tiffany Irrera from the game.

Amanda Havdoglous came on in relief and retired the side, but not before a Jess Mouse single gave Stratford a 3-0 advantage.

The Havoc had their best chance in the top of the second, as Katie Flynn reached on an infield single. After a Chiaramonte sac bunt pushed Flynn to second, Kim Procida and Kristin Havdoglous walked to load the bases.

Balschmiter responded well to the challenge, striking out Gerone to retire the side.

The Brakettes stretched the margin in the bottom of the inning, scoring a pair of runs with two outs.

Heronema started if off with a base hit and went to third on a safety by Waters, who moved up to second on the throw.

Fishback singled to bring home both base runners and give the Brakettes a 5-0 lead.

Mouse started another rally in the third, reaching on the second of her three hits in the game.

Radomski reached on a walk, and Vermeulen singled to load the bases. With no room on the bases, Mariel Schlaefer delivered a sac fly to score Mouse, putting the Brakettes up 6-0.

Heronema reached on a fielder's choice, which saw Vermeulen forced out at second, bringing the red-hot Waters to the plate.

Waters launched her second homer of the game, and third of the day, over the fence in left to close out the scoring at 9-0.

Balschmiter allowed runners to reach scoring position in both the fourth and fifth innings, but the Havoc never crossed home plate. Balschmiter fanned seven batters in the five-inning decision, three of which came in the last frame. She improved to 23-0 on the season, as the Brakettes moved to 35-0.

The Brakettes have now won 154 straight games, dating back to June 3rd, 2010.

The Newtown (PA) Rock, the last squad to defeat the Brakettes on that night more than two years ago, will visit DeLuca Field Thursday night for a 7:00 doubleheader.

Both games will be video webcast on brakettes.com.