Brakettes Tested by Rampage in USSSA Pool Play

July 26, 2014 - The Stratford Brakettes fended off a tough challenge by the New Jersey Rampage on Saturday night, taking a 6-2 decision in their last USSSA Pool Play game, securing the top seed for Sunday's single-elimination bracket play.

Allyson Fournier struck out 13 Rampage batters in six innings, as the game was called early due to the USSSA 80-minute time limit. She gave up six singles along the way, with the only Rampage runs coming on suicide squeezes in the fifth.

The Brakettes took the early lead in the second, when Elena Bowman led off with a single. Mandie Fishback sacrificed her over to second, and a double by Steffi Call sent Bowman home with the first run. Jess Mouse followed with an RBI single for a 2-0 advantage.

Denis Denis smashed her 90th career home run to dead center in the third inning, a two-run shot that was her 13th of the year. Quianna Diaz-Patterson, who reached on a one-out error, also scored on the blast.

Elise Fortier followed and smacked her 16th homer of the year. The back-to-back long balls stretched the margin to 5-0.

The Brakettes scratched together another run in the fourth inning, when Mouse reached on a two-out single. Tatum Buckley walked to put two on, and Mariel Schlaefer reached on an error to load the bases.

Amber Radomski reached on an infield single, scoring Mouse to push the lead to 6-0.

Whitney Jones and Crystal Lee scored on suicide squeeze plays in the top of the fifth to close the gap to 6-2. Jones reached on a single, while Lee walked to reach base.

Amie Defeo and Stephanie Romano placed the bunts to bring in the Rampage runs.

The Brakettes will play the winner of a play-in game on Sunday at 1:00 pm. The CT Seahawks and New England Mirage will play the #8 vs. #9 contest at 10:00 am, with the victors advancing to play the Brakettes.

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