Softball Recap: Five Straight Home Wins for Western Branch

Western Branch entered their tilt with Lakeland on Tuesday with two consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with three. They never let the Cavaliers get on the board and left with a 10-0 victory. That's the second time they've managed to beat them this season, as they also won 16-2 on April 3rd.

Ava Giacometti looked comfortable as she didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit while striking out eight over four innings pitched. That's the most strikeouts she has posted since back in May of 2024.

Marissa Bernheimer

Home Runs (Career)

04/22/25 vs Lakeland	2
04/10/25 vs Isle of Wight Academy	1
03/27/25 @ Deep Creek	1
03/24/25 vs Bayside	1
03/20/25 vs Nansemond River	1

On the hitting side, Marissa Bernheimer and Maddie Lemasters did most of the damage at the plate: Bernheimer fired off two home runs, three runs, and three RBI while going 3-for-3, while Lemasters went 3-for-4 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs. Those two home runs gave Bernheimer a new career-high. Lilly Creef also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.

Western Branch was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .424. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .419 or higher in three consecutive games.

Western Branch's win was their fifth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 8-1. Those home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 12.6 runs over those games. As for Lakeland, they are on a three-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 2-5.

We've got plenty of inter-region action coming up soon. Western Branch will square off against rival Great Bridge at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams have allowed few runs on average (the Bruins 3, the Wildcats 3.1) so any runs scored will be well earned. Meanwhile, Lakeland is set to challenge their familiar foe Indian River at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday.