Softball Game Preview: Isle of Wight Academy Chargers vs. Western Branch Bruins

The Isle of Wight Academy Chargers will head out on the road to face off against the Western Branch Bruins at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams are strolling into their matches after big wins in their previous games.

Isle of Wight Academy is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They never let Atlantic Shores Christian get on the board and left with a 15-0 victory on Wednesday. The team's explosion at the plate also rewarded the Chargers with their most commanding win of the season.

Meanwhile, after only one run in their last contest, Western Branch made sure to put some runs up on the board against Lakeland on Thursday. The Bruins were the clear victors by a 16-2 margin over the Cavaliers. The Bruins might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won five games by six runs or more this season.

Ava Giacometti looked comfortable as she struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit (and only one walk). She has been consistent : she hasn't given up more than one walk in five consecutive appearances.

At the plate, Western Branch let Maddie Lemasters and Ashley Matthews run wild. Lemasters got on base in all five of her plate appearances with three RBI, two runs, and one triple, while Matthews went 2-for-4 with three runs, four RBI, and one double. Ryleigh Hill also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.

Isle of Wight Academy's record now sits at 4-5. As for Western Branch, their record is now 6-1.

Isle of Wight Academy might still be hurting after the 12-0 loss they got from Western Branch in their previous meeting back in March of 2024. Can the Chargers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.