Brakettes Open Invitational with 8-0 Win

July 19, 2013 - The Stratford Brakettes defeated the Connecticut Eliminators 8-0 on Friday night at DeLuca Field, as Kate Bowen crushed a grand slam to put the game out of reach. Elise Fortier also went yard in the game, which was the first pool play contest at the 2013 Brakettes Invitational, a USSSA event.

Sam Greiner earned her 20th win of the season with the two-hit victory. Greiner was dominant on the night, striking out eight and walking none. Her bid for a perfect game was ended in the bottom of the fourth, when Areille Cooper reached on an infield single.

The Brakettes were the visiting team in the contest, as the Eliminators won the coin toss before the game.

Denise Denis reached on a single with one out in the third, trying to spark the team to break a scoreless tie. Fortier followed and smashed her team-leading 14th home run of the year to give the Brakettes a 2-0 lead.

Britt Lampert walked with one out in the fourth and stole second base. Ashley Waters provided more separation with a double to score Lampert, extending the margin to 3-0.

Fortier also started the final Brakette rally with a base hit in the five-run fifth inning. She advanced to second on Mandie Fishback's bunt single, and both runners moved up a bag on a sac bunt by Becca Carden. Jess Mouse beat out an infield single, while the runners stayed put. Amber Radomski earned a bases-loaded walk to push the lead to 4-0.

Kate Bowen followed Radomski and drilled a moonshot over centerfield fence, a grand slam that was her first home run of the year.

Greiner gave up the other hit of the night in the bottom of the fifth, as she sought to close out the run-rule decision. With one out, Alyssa Wolejko reached on an infield single to the right side and stole second base. She stole second base, but was stranded there as Greiner struck out eh last two batters she faced.

The Brakettes improved to 44-0 in 2013, and will play again Saturday in three pool play games. They will face the New York Swag (Black Team) in the afternoon at 1:00, the New York Swag (Red Team) at 5:30, and the CT Angels at 7:00.

All three Brakette games will be live video webcast on Saturday at brakettes.com. The other pool play games (those NOT involving the Brakettes) on Saturday will not be broadcast, but ALL four games at DeLuca Field on Sunday will be broadcast live on brakettes.com.