2010 WMS Tournament

Brakettes Capture 2010 Women's Major Softball Championship

Sunday, August 1, Game 14
Championship Game - The Stratford Brakettes handed the St. Louis Saints a 4-1 defeat in the 2nd Annual WMS Championship on Sunday afternoon at Biondi Field in West Haven, CT. Rachele Fico picked up the victory for the Brakettes and earned both the Joan Joyce Most Outstanding Pitcher and Micki Stratton MVP Awards.

Fico struck out four batters and scattered six hits en route to her 33rd victory, while the Brakettes closed out the season with a 57-1 record.

The last loss suffered by the Brakettes was in the second game on Opening Night, June 4th, against the Newtown Rock Gold. Their 56 consecutive victories mark the second-longest single season win streak in team history, behind the 1971 team that finished 57-0.

After a scoreless first inning, the Brakettes got on the board in the second frame.

Jess Serio crushed a double to centerfield to lead off the inning, and was replaced by courtesy runner Christine DellaVecchia. Mandie Fishback dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance DellaVecchia to third. Kristyn Sandberg followed and lofted a flyball to left field, allowing DellaVecchia to tag from third.

DellaVecchia used a wrap-around slide to avoid the tag of Saints’ catcher, Brittany Fisher, and brushed her left hand across the back corner of the plate for a 1-0 lead (photos).

All-Tournament outfield pick Denise Denis led off the fourth with a double and went to third on a passed ball. Serio, who was also an All-Tourney selection, drove in Denis with a single to push the lead to 2-0.

DellaVecchia was again entered as a courtesy runner for Serio as Fishback strode to the plate. Fishback reached on an error at shortstop, which also sent DellaVecchia to second. Sandberg pushed both runners along with a sacrifice, giving the Brakettes runners at second and third.

Jess Mouse, who was tabbed the All-Tourney third baseman, delivered a two-run single to center to score DellaVecchia and Fishback to provide a 4-0 cushion for Fico and the Brakettes.

Fico was not as over-powering as in her eight-strikeout, perfect game display on Saturday in the Winner’s Bracket Final, but still handled the Saints’ powerful lineup. The Saints started to get to her in the late innings, but Fico still limited the damage to a lone tally in the seventh inning.

Brittany Fisher led off the bottom of the seventh with a double, and received a courtesy runner in Kelsey Schulte. With two outs, Saints’ centerfielder Amanda Clack drove in Schulte with a two-base hit of her own, providing St. Louis with its only run.

Fico preserved the win by inducing a pop-up off the bat of Jen Stahlhut in foul territory down the left side. Mouse caught the bloop over her shoulder in front of the Brakettes’ dugout, and the celebration ensued.

Brakettes GM and Tournament Director Bob Baird presented the Brakettes with the 2010 WMS Championship Trophy, soon after he handed the runner-up trophy to the Saints’ Manager, Ed Martz.

Rachele Fico was among three pitchers named to the 2010 WMS All-Tournament Team, while Carly Normandin also made the squad as an outfield selection. The Saints’ Ashley Hall (first base) and Amanda Zust (pitcher) also were chosen as All-Tournament picks.

The Saints ended their season 22-10, and improved on last year's third-place WMS finish.

The Brakettes’ P.A. announcer of 25 years, Hal Baird, told the crowd in attendance after the ceremonies that the Brakettes would indeed play again in 2011. Manager John Stratton was pleased that the Brakettes will be back for a 65th consecutive year of top-notch softball. “We have adopted a new business plan going forward, and we’re excited about several opportunities that are being discussed by our board of directors. This team was super, and we look forward to doing this again next year.”