Bats and Gloves Shine in 9-3, 8-0 Victories

July 6, 2013 - by Ilan Woll

A hot and humid Saturday evening in Stratford welcomed the Brakettes and Seahawks for their second doubleheader in as many days. The Brakettes again took both ends of the twinbill, as they cruised to 9-3 and 8-0 victories.

Greiner proved tough as she retired the first nine batters she faced. Meanwhile, Anna Mallory saw a leadoff single from Kate Bowen erased by a strong throw from Melissa King to nail Bowen attempting to steal second.

The second inning started off the same way as Stephanie Call walked and took second on a ground ball by Elise Fortier. Becca Carden then hit a bouncer straight up the middle which was snagged by Mallory who chose the sure out at first as Call took third. Steffi then scored as a 1-1 drop ball went past the catcher to the backstop giving the Brakettes the initial one run lead.

The third inning went quietly as Greiner retired the Seahawks in order. Meanwhile Mariel Schlaefer worked out a 1 out walk and reached second on a single by Brittany Lampert. However, the Seahawks hurler retired the next 2 hitters to keep the game close.

The visitors finally threatened in the 4th as CJ Semones singled up the middle, then advanced to second on a bunt to the right side by Kim Procida. Greiner then forced a ground ball to Ashley Waters at shortstop, following that up with a strikeout to end the Seahawks' threat.

The bottom half of the frame threatened to undo Anna Mallory as Denise Denis lofted a long fly to right field which was caught by Lisa Dean at the track. However Steffi Call then hit a low line drive to left center which cleared the fence for her eighth home run of the game and a 2-0 Brakettes lead.

As the fifth inning went quietly for both sides, the pitcher's duel was derailed in the 6th. After Greiner struck out the first two batters, Semones sat on a curveball outside for a walk. Kim Procida then lofted a fly ball to rightfield just in front of the charging Denis. However, a changeup to Kate Flynn was launched to centerfield, giving the Seahawks a rare 3-2 lead.

However, much like the Seahawks, the Brakettes' bats came to life in the bottom of the inning. Kate Bowen started off the rally with a single to centerfield. Ashley Waters walked and Denise Denis reached on an infield single, loading the bases. Steffi Call then walked, bringing in the tying run. Elise Fortier then powered a double to right field, scoring two.

Becca Carden hit a sharp grounder to short, but Flynn was ranging back and had no play as Call scored. Further singles by Jess Mouse and Amber Radomski finished the offense in the inning to retake the Brakettes lead 9-3.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks made a valiant effort to get back in as Anna Mallory led off the seventh with a single, but Greiner retired the next three batters to earn her thirteenth win. Kate Bowen had a two hit game and Steffi Call scored in all three plate appearances.

For Game 2, Alison Chiaramonte, formerly of the NYC Havoc, matched up against Brakettes' fireballer Stephanie Call. Call was coming off of a perfect game where she had struck out 13 of the 15 hitters she faced. In this game, the Seahawks started early as CJ Semones walked and reached second, and Kaitlyn Flynn singled, advancing the runner to second. However, a strikeout and a line drive to Elise Fortier at third base ended the Seahawks offense in the first. Chiaramonte, conversely, retired the home team in order to finish off the frame.

The second inning saw Call dominate as two popups to Kate Bowen, making a rare start at second base, and a strikeout ended the half-inning. Meanwhile Steffi Call hit a fly ball to centerfield where Kim Procida dove, missing the ball for a stand-up double. A walk to Elise Fortier put two on as Becca Carden laid down a bunt. However, an errant throw to first, the only error of the double header, scored the first run. Fortier then scored on a wild pitch and an Amber Radomski sacrifice Fly scored Carden as the Brakettes scored three to take the lead.

After the Seahawks were retired in order, the Brakettes offense continued in the third. With two outs, singles by Call, Fortier, and Carden plated another run as the Brakettes left the bases loaded.

The top of the 4th was exciting not for offense, but for Call striking out the side on nine pitches. However, the home team added some insurance runs as Brittany Lampert displayed her power with a deep shot over the head of a drawn in outfield, for a triple to the leftfield corner. Bowen then doubled to the fence, scoring Lampert. Ashley Waters then singled to centerfield to give the Brakettes a 6-0 lead.

The fifth inning saw the Brakettes on the verge of ending the game in five innings as Carden singled and stole second base. Jess Mouse then doubled to the left field gap, scoring a run. However, despite a Lampert infield hit, the Brakettes could not get the final run to score, leading by seven.

After Call held the Seahawks hitless in the sixth, retiring the last 17 batters she faced, Ashley Waters took a curveball over the leftfield wall for the walk-off home run, her fourth of the year.

Brittany Lampert had 3 hits in the 2nd game as Call, Waters, and Carden each had multi-hit games. Call advances to 16-0 on the year.

The Brakettes will play the Connecticut Angels on Sunday at 6:00pm ET with games next week against the Rock Gold 18U, the CT Falcons, and then the Lyons Spirit on Saturday with a Sunday triple header between the Brakettes, Seahawks, and Spirit. July 17 will see the Brakettes against the NY/NJ Comets of the professional National Pro Fastpitch league.