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Brakettes Punch Ticket to WMS Semifinals
 Aug 12 - The Stratford Brakettes picked up a 6-1 win over the Connecticut Eliminators in the quarterfinals of the WMS Nationals on Friday night at DeLuca Field, as Kaysee Talcik struck out 16 batters.
Val Suto beat out an infield single to start the bottom of the first and quickly stole second base. Suto advanced to third on a groundball out and scored when Denise Denis grounded out to second. The tally gave the Brakettes an early 1-0 edge, which would stand until the home fourth.
Jolie Duffner singled up the middle to start the Brakettes' fourth frame. She moved up a bag on a base hit by Lauren Pitney, and a bunt single by Brittany Younan loaded the bases. Tatum Buckley drove in Duffner with a sac fly to left, stretching the lead to 2-0.
Talcik (6-1) was perfect through four innings and limited the Eliminators to just two hits on the night. Julie Slavin roped a double to left-center to start the fifth and break up the no-hit bid. Talcik struck out the next three batters to thwart the attempted rally.
The Brakettes continued the momentum in the bottom of the fifth, scoring three runs for some more breathing room.
Hannah Cooper drilled a single while leading off the fifth, and was run for by Megan Hodgdon. Suto picked up another base hit to put two on, and a single by Britt Lampert again loaded the bases for the Brakettes. With one out, Duffner grounded out to second to push Hodgdon across home plate for a 3-0 margin. Pitney followed with a single to center, scoring Suto and Lampert for a 5-0 lead.
The Eliminators scored their only run in the top of the sixth, as Elizabeth Lombardo started the inning with a single to right. Amanda King followed and earned a walk, putting two on for Connecticut. After a Talcik strikeout, Genna Hartman grounded to the right side. The Brakettes got the force at second, but an errant throw to first on a double play attempt allowed Lombardo to score. The run put the Eliminators on the board and made it a 5-1 game.
Casey Harding added to the Brakettes' lead in the sixth with a solo shot, her second home run in as many days. The blast closed out the scoring at 6-1.
Talcik picked up two more of her 16 K's in the top of the seventh to retire the side in order and secure the win for the Brakettes.
The Brakettes will take on the Nook 23 Gold on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 at DeLuca Field in the WMS Winner's Bracket Semifinals. The St. Louis Saints and Bloomington (IL) Lady Hearts will meet in the other Saturday semifinal at 1:00 pm.
All 2017 WMS tournament games at DeLuca Field will be live video webcast at brakettes.com.
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WMS Tournament, Bracket Game 4
7:30 PM Friday, Aug 11th
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7 |
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R |
H |
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| ELIMINATORS |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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0 |
0 |
1 |
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0 |
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1 |
2 |
0 |
| BRAKETTES |
1 |
0 |
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3 |
1 |
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6 |
12 |
1 |
Batteries: Eliminators- Emily Kurtzner (L) and Madeira Alexander; Brakettes- Kaysee Talcik (W, 6-1) and Hannah Cooper
Homerun: Brakettes- Casey Harding (4) |
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