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Victorious! Brakettes Defeat Bluefish 2-0
in Battle of The Sexes IV
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 July 24 - by Ilan Woll - In what has become a new Brakettes tradition, the Fourth Annual Battle of the Sexes took place on a cool Sunday at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard v. the Bridgeport Bluefish, celebrating their 20th season. Nick French took the pitcher's box against the first of four Brakettes pitchers, Nicole Williams. With the Brakettes unsuccessful in their previous efforts, the pressure was on to establish dominance early.
Val Suto led off the first with a single, reaching second on a wild pitch. However, a pitch shortly afterwards got away from catcher Alex Magliocco, but he quickly found the ball and threw out Suto trying to take third. Jolie Duffner singled afterwards, but was unable to score.
Nicole Williams faced a challenge in the bottom of the frame when, with one out, she allowed a single to Luis Hernandez and walked Jonathan Albaladejo, but worked her way out of trouble.
The Brakettes nearly scored in the second as a deep drive by Casey Harding narrowly missed being a home run as the wind carried it foul. Neither team was able to reach base that inning.
After Stratford went quietly in the third, new pitcher Kaysee Talcik returned the favor, striking out Zac Grotz as part of her perfect frame
Britt Lampert drove a single to left in the fourth. However, Nick French turned it up a notch, striking out the remaining Brakettes.
Bridgeport however, squandered an opportunity in the bottom half as, following a single by Jose Gil and a walk to Albaladejo, Gil was caught leaving third base early. Talcik then finished off the last batter to end the inning.
Megan Hodgdon put the Brakettes on the board in the fifth as, following an infield hit and throwing error, she reached second base and took third on a passed ball. Harding lined a single to centerfield for the first run of the game.
Abby Abramson, who pitched the next two frames, struck out four, allowing only a single to Hernandez as a part of her excellent performance.
Amber Radomski started the Brakettes insurance run as, following a single to left, pinch runner Noel Lent took second base on a sacrifice. Lent then advanced on a strikeout with a wild pitch. Lauren Pitney, the Brakettes leading home run hitter for the year, singled in Lent for the second Brakettes run.
Brandice Balschmiter took over in the seventh, and dominated the Bluefish hitters in the seventh. Similarly, Nick French found hit fifth gear, retiring the last ten Stratford hitters in the game, including striking out the last four.
Back to back walks provided the last opportunity for the Bluefish as Rainy Lara and Zac Grotz both walked. Grotz was then out leaving the base before a pitch. Balschmiter then forced Luis Rodriguez to ground out, and held the opposing pitcher to a fly ball to left. Brandice then nailed down the win in the ninth, retiring the Fish in order to earn the save.
Kaysee Talcik earned the win in this game, allowing only one hit and one walk in her two innings. While no Brakettes player had multiple hits, Casey Harding and Lauren Pitney provided clutch hitting to notch the win.
The Brakettes return to action on Saturday and Sunday, July 29 and 30 with the Lyons Spirit making the trip to Stratford. The following weekend, the Brakettes return the favor, traveling down to Lyons, PA, for doubleheaders on August 5 and 6 to set up the Brakettes final week of softball this year, culminating in the Women's Major Softball Tournament. All Brakettes games, and all games at DeLuca Field during the WMS will be webcast on Brakettes.com.
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Connecticut Post article here
7:00 PM Sunday, July 23rd
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard (exhibition)
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| BRAKETTES |
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| BLUEFISH |
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Batteries: Brakettes- Nicole Williams, Kaysee Talcik (3, W), Abby Abramson (5), Brandice Balschmiter (7, S) and Jenn Vazquez, Megan Hodgdon (4), Hannah Cooper (7); Bluefish- Nick French (L) and Alex Magliocco
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