Brakettes Survive Tought Test from NY Swag

July 16, 2012 - The Stratford Brakettes overcame a 3-1, fourth-inning deficit to beat the New York Swag in the late game on Sunday afternoon at DeLuca Field. The contest was called after five innings due to lightning, as Stratford won 9-3. The Brakettes also took the first game, 10-2.

Fans watched the second matchup in suspense, as a thunderstorm was looming in the area for the game's entirety, and the Swag gave the Brakettes a worthy battle.

The Brakettes also had to come back from behind in the first game, but run-ruled the Swag after a six-run sixth.

Brandice Balschmiter picked up the win to improve to 26-0, limiting the Swag to just three hits.

The Swag jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the early contest, after Maddy Reese led off with a walk. Cyndil Matthew reached on a fielder's choice, after her sacrifice attempt saw Reese forced out at second. Matthew reached third on a wild pitch and scored the game's first run on a single by Michelle Prong.

Prong helped to extend the Swag's lead in the third, as she reached on a two-out walk. Prong swiped second and came home on a double by Elise Fortier to give New York a 2-0 advantage.

The Brakettes tied it up in the bottom of the third, as Carly Normandin led off with a bloop single. She moved up a base when Kate Bowen reached on a fielder's choice, and went to third on base hit by Mariel Schlaefer.

With the bases loaded, Alisa Heronema delivered another blooper to bring in Normandin. Ashley Waters followed with a sac fly to score Bowen, bringing the game to a 2-2 tie.

Waters also drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth with a single, plating Schlaefer who reached on a walk. With two outs, Stephanie Call sent Waters across the plate with a double for a 4-2 lead.

The Brakettes left the Swag on the field in the sixth, as they batted around the order.

Normandin started the rally with a walk and was sacrificed over by Bowen. Schlaefer came up and launched her second homer of the year, pushing the Stratford lead to 6-2.

After Waters and Denise Denis earned two-out walks, Call delivered her second double of the game. The liner to right scored Waters and sent Denis to third. Mandie Fishback contributed her third single of the game to score two more, bringing the tally to 9-2.

Carden moved Fishback over with a single of her own, and scored the game's final run on a single by Jess Mouse. The run ended the game with a 10-2 score.

The Swag also took the lead on the Brakettes in the rematch, marking the fifth straight game that the Brakettes have won after surrendering the first score.

Matthew picked up an infield single with one out in the third and stole second. Elise Fortier drove Matthew in with a double to give the Swag a 1-0 edge.

The Brakettes fought right back in the home third, as Amber Radomski came through with a two-out single. Heronema also picked up a base hit, moving Radomski over.

Waters followed and delivered a single to left, scoring Radomski to tie it up at 1-1.

Gabby Luety led off the fourth for the Swag with a walk. With two outs, Jackie Reiser contributed a single to move Luety over. Reese also picked up a single, driving in Luety for a 2-1 lead. Reiser eventually came home on a wild pitch, giving the Swag a 3-1 lead.

Carden gave the Brakettes some life in the fourth with two outs, as she reached on a single. She moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a base hit by Mouse, closing the gap to 3-2. Mouse went to second on the throw and scored the equalizer on a single by Normandin.

Radomski also started the decisive rally in the fifth, as she reached with her second base hit of the game. Heronema beat out a bunt single, and Schlaefer was brought in as a pinch runner for Radomski. Waters dropped a sacrifice bunt to put two in scoring position.

Denis roped a hard liner to the right side, which kicked off the second baseman's glove and brought in Schlaefer with the go-ahead run.

Call gave the Brakettes a 5-3 lead with a grounder to short, which scored Heronema from third. Heronema slid under the tag, as Fortier came home with the throw.

Fishback extended the margin with a double to score Denis, pushing Call to third with a 6-3 lead.

Carden also picked up an RBI single to score Call. Mouse brought in the last two runs with a single, closing out the scoring at 9-3.

Play was suspended in the top of the sixth, as lightning began striking in the area. After a short delay, the game was called, with the Brakettes earning the win in five innings.

Balschmiter picked up the win in relief, as she came on in the fourth inning for Rachele Fico. Balschmiter now stands at 27-0, while the Brakettes are 43-0 on the season. They have now won 162 straight games.

The Brakettes return to play Thursday night with a 7:00 doubleheader at DeLuca Field against the Rhode Island Thunder Elite.

Both games will be broadcast at brakettes.com.