Brakettes Dominate New York Swag Black

June 27, 2014 - by Ilan Woll - The Brakettes blanked the New York Swag Black on Friday night with a set of 6-0 and 18-0 wins, although the two contests were very different games. Stratford took advantage of five Swag errors in the first game, while the late game was defined by a 13-run offensive explosion in the 4th inning.

Game 1 saw Tatum Buckley getting her second Brakette start against Syracuse University's Lindsay Larkin. Buckley retired the side in the first with three straight strikeouts. In the first three innings, every out came via strikes, although she allowed two singles to Essence Savinon (Florida Gulf Coast) and Chaylen Andolino (Bucknell).

The Brakettes meanwhile took advantage of a defensive miscue to score in the first. With one out, Britt Lampert singled via the bunt, then took second on a Denise Denis sacrifice, and went for third on the throw, scoring on an errant throw. Elise Fortier then doubled, but was thrown out at the plate on a strong throw from centerfield. The Brakettes got baserunners in the second on a fielding error and the third on a Denise Denis single, but did not score in either frame.

Buckley meanwhile, changed pace in the 4th, having two pitches popped up to the infield, and a fly ball to leftfield, then retired the side in the fifth with two ground balls and a strikeout. Stratford scored two runs in each inning as, with one out, Elena Bowman doubled, scoring on a long single by Mandie Fishback. Jess Mouse then bunted Fishback to third and Mariel Schlaefer hit a hard drive to left field, masterfully fielded by Aerika High (Wagner) . In the fifth, Bri Chiusano was hit by a pitch, then reached second on a Britt Lampert bunt. Elise Fortier then loaded the bases after an error. Bowman then singled to center, plating two.

The Swag meanwhile threatened in the last two innings, stranding Tate Valentine (Central Michigan) and Aerica High after singles. Elise Fortier made a terrific play diving for a ball to deny a single to Jackie Reiser. The Brakettes would score one more after Chiusano tripled and was plated by Denis.

Tatum Buckley (2-0) finished with fourteen strikeouts, allowing four singles and no walks. Britt Lampert, Denise Denis, Elena Bowman, and Mandie Fishback each had two hits.

In game 2, Brandice Balschmiter took the mound against the Swag's Isabella Correa. Balschmiter dominated the Swag, striking out ten, and allowing only three walks and a leadoff single to Tate Valentine. Jackie Reiser was the only Swag player who did not strike out, instead walking twice.

After a strong first inning, stranding two Brakettes on the basepath, Fishback and Buckley reached on singles in the second, and a dropball to Schlaefer was hit to deep center for Mariel's fourth home run of the season. The third saw further offense as Denise Denis was walked for the second time (she reached her first three times, each without seeing a strike), followed by a free pass to Swag alum Elise Fortier. Elena Bowman then doubled down the line in left field, scoring both runners.

In the fourth, things came entirely unglued for the Swag as the Brakettes scored 13, batting 17 and seeing back to back home runs, with a Fortier grand slam and Elena Bowman's first career home run for Stratford.

Brandice Balschmiter improved to 6-0, with Chiusano, Schlaefer and Bowman each collecting two hits while Fortier and Fishback had three each.

The Brakettes play the Swag Red team Saturday night at 7pm and the Xplosion 23U team on Sunday night at 6:00.

All 2014 Brakette games are live video webcast on www.brakettes.com