Brakettes Complete Sweep of Mass Pride

July 14, 2012 - The Brakettes took both games of a doubleheader from the Mass Pride on Saturday at DeLuca Field in five innings, winning by 13-1 and 9-1 scores. Stratford improved to 41-0 on the season, as the team extended its win streak to 160 straight games.

Quianna Diaz-Patterson led off the top of the first with a single for the Pride, and went to second as the ball kicked away from Becca Carden in centerfield. With two outs, Alyssa Zahka delivered a single to drive in Diaz-Patterson, giving the Pride an early 1-0 edge.

Alisa Heronema reached on a bunt single in the bottom of the first and moved to second on a sacrifice by Ashley Waters. Denise Denis picked up a base hit to send Heronema home, tying the game at 1-1.

Stephanie Call walked to put two on for Stratford, and Carden responded by giving Balschmiter some breathing room. Carden launched a three-run homer, her fifth long ball of the year, to put the Brakettes up 4-1.

Kate Bowen and Alisa Heronema earned walks in the second inning and scored on a three-run shot by Waters, her sixth of the season. The Brakettes took a 7-1 advantage into the third.

Call blasted her 11th homer of the year to start the third, extending the margin to 8-1.

Carden picked up a one-out single and scored the Brakettes' ninth run on an error, which allowed Carly Normandin to reach safely. Kate Bowen was hit by a pitch to put two on, and Amber Radomski followed with an RBI single to plate Normandin. Bowen then came home on a single by Heronema to push the lead to 11-1.

Denis started the fourth off with a double, and Call walked to put two on. Carden smacked a double, her third hit of the game, to bring Denis in for a 12-1 lead.

Normandin also contributed an RBI on a single, scoring Carden to close out the scoring at 13-1.

Balschmiter retired the side in order in the fifth to secure the run-rule shortened win, improving to 25-0 on the season. She struck out eight and scattered three hits.

Rachele Fico earned the win in the nightcap, as she moved her 2012 ledger to 7-0. She allowed one run on five hits, while striking out seven.

Diaz-Patterson again put the Pride on top in the first, smashing a solo shot off Fico on the first pitch of the game. The run marked the third straight game the Pride took a 1-0, first-inning lead on the Brakettes.

The early lead was again short-lived, as the Brakettes tied it up in the bottom of the first.

Denis reached on a fielder's choice, and went to second when Call earned a walk. Fishback drove Denis home from second with a single to tie it up.

Jess Mouse led off the second with a single and scored on a double by Normandin. Schlaefer followed with a walk, and both runners came home on a double by Waters to push the lead to 4-1.

Denis pulled a two-run drive over the fence in right, her sixth homer of the year, to extend the advantage to 6-1.

The Brakettes scored three more in the fifth to leave the Pride on the field, closing out another run-rule shortened game.

Fishback led off with a walk and moved up on a base hit by Carden. Both runners advanced a bag on a wild pitch. Normandin earned a walk to load the bases, and Bowen delivered a two-run single score Fishback and Carden for an 8-1 margin.

Schlaefer brought the game to a close with a single that scored Normandin, giving the Brakettes the run-rule shortened victory.

The Brakettes return to action on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 with a doubleheader against the New York Swag.

Both games will be video webcast at brakettes.com.