Softball Game Preview: Ocean Lakes Dolphins vs. Salem Sundevils

Ocean Lakes is a perfect 10-0 against Salem since March of 2016 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. The Dolphins will venture away from home to take on the Sundevils at 4:00 p.m. Ocean Lakes is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.4 runs per game this season.

Salem will challenge a team with plenty of momentum: Ocean Lakes extended their winning streak to three on Thursday. The Dolphins came out on top against Kempsville by a score of 6-3. That's two games straight that the Dolphins have won by exactly three runs.

Sam Patterson

Batters Struck Out

04/03/25 vs Kempsville	13
04/01/25 @ Cox	13
03/31/25 vs Bayside	6
03/28/25 vs Manchester	13
03/27/25 vs Princess Anne	10
+ 2 more games

Sam Patterson spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three runs (all of which were unearned) on five hits and racked up 13 Ks. She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't tossed less than six strikeouts any time she's pitched this season.

On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Devynn Sawyer, who scored two runs while going 2-for-4.

Meanwhile, Thursday just wasn't the day for Salem's offense. They came up short against Kellam on Thursday, falling 15-0. The Sundevils haven't had much luck with the Knights recently, as the team has come up short the last nine times they've met.

Salem's defeat dropped their record down to 2-4. As for Ocean Lakes, their win bumped their record up to 6-1.

Salem's hitters will have their work cut out for them on Tuesday. Ocean Lakes has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 12.3 strikeouts per game. It's a different story for Salem, though, as they've been averaging only 4.2 strikeouts. Will Ocean Lakes keep running through batters, or will the Sundevils buck the trend?

Ocean Lakes took their victory against Salem in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 10-0 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Dolphins since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.