Brakettes Edge Tradition in 4,000th Game Ever

June 27, 2013 - The Stratford Brakettes were challenged by CT Tradition 18U starting pitcher Allyson Fornier on Saturday in the opener of a doubleheader at DeLuca Field, winning the 4,000th game in the team's 67-year history by a 2-0 score.

Steffi Call had another dominating performance in the circle in game one, as she struck out 14 in a complete-game shutout. She gave up just a pair of singles on the night, one each by Kate Brainard and Shelby Butwell, while walking four in seven innings.

The only scoring in the matchup was in the home second, starting with a one-out single by Elise Fortier. Mandie Fishback doubled to push Fortier to third, giving the Brakettes two in scoring position. Becca Carden droved single through the right side to score both runners, giving Call all the help she would need with a 2-0 cushion.

Fornier gave up two runs on seven hits, but managed to strand six Brakettes batters on the base paths. She also struck out seven batters and walked just one.

Kate Bowen came through in spot duty for the Brakettes in the nightcap, throwing a no-hitter in her first start of the year. She gave up just two walks in a six-inning performance that was cut short by lightning after the top of the sixth. Bowen struck out five, while earning her first win of the 2013 season.

After second-game Tradition starter Ali Reilly retired the side in order in the first inning, the Brakettes plated four runs in the bottom of the second.

Steffi Call led off with a walk and moved to second on a single by Mandie Fishback. Becca Carden loaded the bases with a single, giving Jess Mouse an early opportunity. Mouse delivered a two-run double, sending Carden to third and giving the Brakettes a 2-0 lead.

Amber Radomski then reached on an error at third, which allowed Carden to score the third run. Mouse later came home on a wild pitch to stretch the margin to 4-0.

With two outs in the fifth, Denise Denis reached on a fielder's choice and stole second base. She advanced to third on a wild pitch, and Call walked to put runners at the corners. Denis scored on a single by Fortier for a 5-0 advantage, as Call moved to third on the play.

Fishback followed and drove in Call with an RBI single, which kicked away from the left-fielder and allowed Fortier to score, as well. The Brakettes ended up leaving the bases loaded at the end of the fifth, and took a 7-0 lead into the sixth.

Bowen worked a 1-2-3 sixth inning, which turned out to be the last she would work on the night. Shortly after the last out, the umpires called both teams off the field after lightning was spotted in the area.

The game was called with the Brakettes up 7-0 in the middle of the sixth, but the young Tradition club proved to be a resilient squad in the doubleheader.

The Brakkettes will return to action on Friday night at DeLuca Field in Stratford with a 7:00 doubleheader against the Mass Pride.

All 2013 Brakettes' home games are live video webcast at www.brakettes.com.