Brakettes Cruise to Pair of 8-0 Wins over Thunder

June 20, 2013 - The Stratford Brakettes defeated the Rhode Island Thunder twice at DeLuca Hall of Fame Field on Thursday night, posting identical 8-0 scores in both games. Elise Fortier belted a grand slam in the early contest, her fourth homer of the year. Denise Denis drilled her second long ball of the season in the late game.

Steffi Call picked up the win in the first game, striking out eight batters and allowing just two hits. She did not allow a walk in the outing, and improved to 8-0 on the season.

The Brakettes jumped out early on the Thunder and starting pitcher Ashley Guillette, scoring four runs in the first.

Kate Bowen led off the home first and doubled to the opposite field. With one out, Denis and Call both walked to load the bases. Fortier launched a towering shot to left field for her first grand slam as a Brakette, putting Stratford up 4-0.

Ashley Waters led off the Brakettes' second with a single and moved up a bag when Denis was hit by a pitch. Call then grounded to Hannah Anderson at short, who stepped on second base for the force. Call reached on the fielder's choice and Waters moved to third. Fortier earned a walk to load the bases, and Fishback earned another free pass to send Waters home for a 5-0 lead.

Call reached in the fourth inning on another fielder's choice and Fortier followed with a single. A misplay in right field allowed both runners to advance an extra base, putting two in scoring position with one out.

Fishback came through again, this time with a two-run single to stretch the margin to 7-0.

Denis was able to plate the eighth run in the sixth inning, leaving the Thunder on the field when she crossed home.

Denis led off the frame with a single and went to second on a wild pitch. Fortier singled, and a groundout by Fishback moved both runners up a base. Becca Carden then delivered the decisive hit, an RBI single to bring home Denis to close out the scoring at 8-0.

The Brakettes pounded out nine hits, paced by two doubles by Bowen. Fortier also had two hits, plus a pair of walks.

Theresa Kane and Christina Kane had the only hits for the Thunder.

Stratford gave Sam Greiner an early lead in the nightcap, as she earned her sixth win of the year in as many tries. Greiner struck out four, while walking two. She scattered four singles in the contest.

Waters started a three-run first with a single and advanced to second on a base hit by Call. With two outs, Fortier knocked in Waters with a double, sending Call to third in the process.

Fishback came up next and delivered a double of her own, scoring Call and Fortier for a 3-0 edge.

Madison Shaw and Ashley Tinsman started the top of the second inning with back-to-back singles for the Thunder, forcing Greiner to work out of a rare jam. Greiner struck out the next two batters and induced a grounder to wiggle out of trouble, continuing the Brakettes’ stingy ways in 2013 at DeLuca Field.

Waters led off the third with her second base hit of the matchup, and stole second base. With one out, Call singled to score Waters, thanks to a defensive interference call. Waters was actually tagged out on the play, but was granted home after the umpires determined she was hindered in the base line as she rounded third. Call moved to second on the play.

Fortier contributed her sixth RBI of the night with her second double of the game, plating Call for a 5-0 lead.

Bowen reached on a two-out for the Brakettes in the home fourth and went to third when Waters reached on a throwing error. Waters cruised into second on the play.

Denis capped the scoring with a three-run inside-the-park homer to right, her second of the year. The ball kicked away from the right fielder as she crashed through the fence trying to make the play.

Theresa Kane picked up her second hit of the game in the top of the fifth, but Greiner retired the side and closed out the win for the Brakettes, who improved to 16-0 on the season.

The Brakettes return to action Friday night in Stratford at 7:00 against the New York Swag. The doubleheader will be taped for future broadcast by CPTV Sports.