Softball Recap: West Ranch Gets the Win

West Ranch proved they can win big on Tuesday (they won by nine) and on Thursday they proved they can win the close ones too. They narrowly escaped with a victory as the squad sidled past the Birmingham Patriots 8-7. That's the second time they've managed to beat them this season, as they also won 9-5 back in March.

JULIETTE MERRILEES

Hits

04/30/26 vs Birmingham	3
04/28/26 @ Valencia	1
04/16/26 vs Castaic	1
04/15/26 vs Oak Park	1
04/14/26 @ Golden Valley	2
+ 8 more games

JULIETTE MERRILEES made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, tossing two innings while giving up just one earned run but no hits. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in seven consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double. That's the most hits she has posted since back in March.

In other batting news, West Ranch let NAOMI STOLL and MILA ZOLRIASATAIN run wild. STOLL went 1-for-4 with one triple, two RBI, and one run, while ZOLRIASATAIN went 2-for-4 with two runs and one double. AVA ESPARZA was another key player, going 3-for-4 with one RBI.

West Ranch was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .394. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .375 or higher in four consecutive matchups.

West Ranch has been performing well recently as they've won three of their last four games. That's provided a nice bump to their 18-7 record this season. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.8 runs over those games. As for Birmingham, they dropped their record down to 9-7 with the loss, which was their third straight on the road.

West Ranch wasted no time getting back out on the field and has already played their next contest, a 13-12 victory against Canyon on the 1st. As for Birmingham, they have also already played their next matchup, a 2-0 win against Chatsworth on the 1st.