Softball Game Preview: Western Branch Bruins vs. King's Fork Bulldogs

Bruins

Runs

05/05/25 vs Nansemond-Suffolk Academy	3
05/01/25 @ Grassfield	4
04/29/25 @ Indian River	19
04/28/25 vs Manor	19
04/24/25 @ Great Bridge	2
+ 9 more games

Western Branch is 9-1 against King's Fork since March of 2017 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. The Bruins will look to defend their home field against the Bulldogs at 5:45 p.m. Western Branch is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 10.6 runs per game this season.

Western Branch is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Virginia's top teams: Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, who was ranked 15th at the time (Western Branch was ranked 21st). The Bruins fell just short of the Saints by a score of 5-3 on Monday. It was the first time this season that the Bruins let down their fans at home.

Haylee Bandura spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and two unearned) runs on six hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Maddie Lemasters was cooking despite her team's loss, going 2-for-4 with two triples, two RBI, and one run.

Meanwhile, after low-scoring totals in their previous three game, King's Fork brought some dynamite into their most recent matchup. They put the hurt on Oscar Smith with a sharp 14-4 victory on Thursday. The win was some much needed relief for the Bulldogs as it spelled an end to their four-game losing streak.

Western Branch's defeat dropped their record down to 11-3. As for King's Fork, their victory was their first in the region, bumping their region record up to 1-6 and their overall record up to 6-6-1.

Tuesday's contest might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Western Branch has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .500. However, it's not like King's Fork struggles in that department as they've averaged .491. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.

Everything went Western Branch's way against King's Fork in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, as Western Branch made off with a 16-0 win. Will the Bruins repeat their success, or do the Bulldogs have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.