Brakettes Wear LSU Purple and Gold, Honor Ralph Fico on Opening Night

June 1, 2013 - The three-time defending WMS National Champion Stratford Brakettes notched a pair of shutouts, 12-0 and 8-0, over the Stratford Seahawks on an emotional Opening Night at DeLuca Field. Both of Saturday's games were called after five innings due to the run rule, as the Brakettes picked up where they left off in 2012.

Wearing the purple and gold that long-time Brakette pitcher Rachele Fico wore in her four years with the LSU Tigers, the Brakettes honored Rachele's father, Ralph, who passed away on May 20th. Ralph's wife, Lee, and his son, Nick, were on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and Nick coached first base for the doubleheader. Rachele, who was the #1 pick in the 2013 NPF draft, was unable to attend, as she was already starting her professional career with the Akron Racers.

Brandice Balschmiter picked up the first game win for the Brakettes, striking out seven and walking two. She allowed just two hits in the contest, one each by Taylor Krol and Katie Flynn.

The Brakettes jumped out quickly over the Seahawks in the opener, scoring all 12 runs in the first inning. There were 11 hits in the first inning alone, as the Brakettes sent 16 batters to the plate.

Kate Bowen opened the home first with a single up the middle and moved to second on a perfectly-placed bunt single by Ashley Waters. Denise Denis then loaded the bases with a single to left, bringing up the slugging Steffi Call.

Call laced a bases-clearing, line drive double to the fence in right-center, giving the Brakettes an early 3-0 lead.

After Elise Fortier reached on an error, Mandie Fishback drove in Call with a single for a 4-0 advantage. Becca Carden loaded the bases again with a single of her own. Jess Mouse then grounded to first baseman Wendy Westmark, who threw home to get the force out. Mouse reached on the fielder's choice, again loading the bases.

Mariel Schlaefer delivered an RBI groundout to second base, scoring Fishback for a 5-0 lead. Bowen then came up for her second at-bat of the inning, offering up a two-run single to drive in Carden and Mouse, stretching the margin to 7-0.

Bowen moved up a bag on a single by Waters, and Denis earned a walk to load the bases for Call, once more. Call delivered another double, scoring two runs for a 9-0 lead.

Fortier capped off the big inning with a monstrous, three-run homer, making her Brakettes' debut a memorable one. The blast one-hopped to the 290-foot slow pitch fence in left-center.

The Brakettes only earned one more hit over the rest of the contest, but the damage had been done.

Starting pitcher Allyson Chairamonte took the loss for the Seahawks, while Mary Handley came on in relief in the fourth inning.

The Brakettes earned another quick win in the nightcap, fueled by a remarkable performance by Steffi Call.

Call pitched a five-inning no-hitter, while fanning nine batters. She allowed just one baserunner, as Melissa King reached on a walk in the second inning.

After Waters singled for the Brakettes with one out in the home first, Call provided herself all the offense she would need. Call launched a two-run, opposite field home run to give the Brakettes an early 2-0, but they were far from finished.

The Brakettes picked up four more runs in the bottom of the second, after Mouse singled to centerfield with one out. Brittany Lampert, also making her Brakettes' debut, walked to put two runners on for Bowen.

Bowen drilled a double to score both Mouse and Lampert, as the Brakettes stretched the lead to 4-0. Denis reached on a walk, bringing Call back to the plate.

Call lofted a fly ball to right, which kicked off the right-fielder's glove. The error allowed two more runs to cross, extending the advantage to 6-0.

Lampert reached base again in the fourth with a bunt single, then moved to second on a wild pitch. After stealing third base, she scored on a sac fly by Waters. Denis also walked and stole a base to get into scoring position, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. She scored the final run on a single by Fortier, closing out the scoring at 8-0.

Call pitched a 1-2-3 fifth inning to complete the no-hitter, striking out the last two batters she faced.

The Brakettes (2-0) and Seahawks (0-2) will square off again Sunday night at 6:00 at DeLuca Field.

All Brakettes' home games are video webcast on brakettes.com.