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Suto's Five Hits, Pitney's Defense Power Brakettes over Eliminators Alumni 4-0 and 8-0
 June 23 - by Ilan Woll - A day after splitting with the 23 and under Eliminators team, their top players came in for a challenge to the home team. Brandice Balschmiter took the circle to face the Alumni's Jill Stockley.
Stratford's offense started in the second inning when Lauren Pitney reached on an error. Gabby Laccona then laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Pitney. Following walks to Abby Abramson and Mollie Keshin an attempt to pickoff Abramson backfired as the throw went into centerfield, scoring Pitney for the first run.
In the third, Val Suto led off with a slap single. Denise Denis then walked, and a pair of wild pitches scored the speedy Suto.
Laccona then provided some additional insurance in the fourth with a double to the centerfield fence. Keshin then singled her in for the three run lead. For the final run, Suto singled in the fifth and reached third on a double by Jolie Duffner. Pitney added an RBI single to score Suto. Duffner however, was thrown out at the plate to limit the final score to 4-0.
Brandice Balschmiter (4-1) meanwhile kept the game devoid of drama, striking out eight while allowing only three hits. This win ties her with Hall of Famer Donna Lopiano for 5th place all-time in career wins with 183.
Lauren Pitney added a defensive gem in this game, ranging deep into the hole at second base to steal a hit from the Eliminators. Val Suto also added two hits and two runs.
For game 2, Kaysee Talcik faced off against Kristin McCann.
After a scoreless top of the first, Val Suto reached on a throwing error, putting her at second. Gabby Laccona sacrificed her to third, and a long fly from Denise Denis scored Suto.
Mollie Keshin added an additional run in the second with a drive to left field, clearing the fence for her first home run of the year.
The Brakettes scored two in the third. Denis doubled. Jolie Duffner then reached on an infield error. Lauren Pitney then drilled a changeup into rightfield, plating both runs for the 4-0 lead.
 A further run came through in the fourth as Suto drove the ball past a drawn in infield, while Laccona then reached on an infield hit as the ball took an odd hop. Denis was hit by a curve ball to load the bases. Duffner was then able to work out a walk to bring in the Brakettes fifth run.
Relief pitcher Kara Zazzaro worked a perfect fifth before the Brakettes finished things in the sixth. With one out, Suto singled, and advanced on a Denis single. Duffner drove in a run, as did Alex Heinen. Pitney then followed suit with a drive to right, scoring Duffner to end the game on mercy rule, 8-0.
Kaysee Talcik (3-0) struck out eleven in the winning effort, scattering six hits. There was a threat in the second as Carissa Brizzi singled and reached third on a steal and wild pitch, but Lauren Pitney made another terrific play near the second base bag to keep the visitors off the board.
Val Suto added three hits and three runs, with Denise Denis adding two of each and a pair of RBIs. For the Eliminators Alumni, Kait Paterson added three hits, while Carissa Brizzi added two.
The Brakettes return to action Saturday against the Xtreme Chaos for a 7pm doubleheader at DeLuca Field. Sunday at 5pm the Stratford Fire Department will have their second annual game against the Brakettes. All games will be broadcast on brakettes.com.
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Friday, June 22nd vs. Eliminators Alumni
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| First Game, 7:00 PM |
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Second Game |
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| Batteries: Eliminators- Jill Stockley (L), Kara Zazzaro (4) and Liz Lombardo; Brakettes- Brandice Balschmiter (W, 4-1) and Alex Heinen |
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Batteries: Eliminators- Kristen McCann (L), Kara Zazzaro (4) and Steph Dean; Brakettes- Kaysee Talcik (W, 3-0) and Sam Rodriguez
Homerun: Brakettes- Mollie Keshin (1) |
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