Brakettes Survive Two Scares from Lyons Spirit

July 13, 2014 - Sarah Bencevinga smashed a home run in both games of the Lyons Spirit's doubleheader with the Brakettes on Sunday, giving the Spirit early leads in both contests, but Stratford rallied to a pair of dramatic, come-from-behind victories over their rivals from Pennsylvania to remain undefeated in 2014.

Allyson Fournier struck out 10 in the early game to improve to 17-0 on the season, while outlasting Spirit pitcher Jordyn White for the decision.

Bencevinga's three-run shot in the first inning gave the Spirit a 3-0 lead that held until the fifth. The Brakettes plated five runs in the home fifth to take the lead, which they never relinquished.

Lyons scored another run in the top of the fourth to keep the pressure on Stratford, but Fournier and the Brakettes held on for the 5-4 win.

Shannon Smith started the late game for the Brakettes, making her debut for the club. She was relieved by Brandice Balschmiter after striking out nine in six innings, with the teams knotted at 4-4.

Bencevinga crushed a two-run homer for Lyons in the top of the second, giving the Spirit an early 2-0 edge.

The Brakettes scratched a run across in the third, closing the gap to 2-1. Amber Radomski reached on a walk to start the frame and advanced a base apiece on singles by Quianna Diaz-Patterson and Elise Fortier. Radomski raced home on a wild pitch for the lone tally of the inning.

Balschmiter pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning to earn the win, which saw Mariel Schlaefer hit a walkoff, three-run shot in the home seventh that left the Spirit on the field.

The Spirit added runs in the fourth and fifth to extend the Lyons lead to 4-1, before Fortier started heroics for Stratford in the fifth.

Fortier launched a three-run home run to tie the game up in the bottom of the fifth, after consecutive base hits by Diaz-Patterson and Britt Lampert.

The 4-4 score held until the seventh, as the Brakette faithful in attendance remained on edge about the potential outcome.

Mandie Fishback reached on a fielder's choice and Tatum Buckley singled to set the stage for Schlaefer, whose game-ending home run was her seventh long ball of the year.

The Brakettes improved to 33-0 on the season and remained undefeated as they prepare to play the Bridgeport Bluefish Monday night at 7:05 in The Battle of the Sexes. The exhibition will take place at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, CT.

All 2014 Brakettes games will be live video webcast on www.brakettes.com.