Softball Game Preview: Western Albemarle Warriors vs. Orange County Fighting Hornets

Western Albemarle is 1-9 against Orange County since April of 2019 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Monday. After both having extra time off, the two teams will shake off the cobwebs and hit the field against one another at 6:30 p.m. Western Albemarle will come into the matchup with an undefeated record on the line.

Western Albemarle had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the 15-run drubbing they dealt Rocktown back in March. The Warriors blew past the Raptors 16-1. While the Warriors didn't have the best season last year (they finished 8-12), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past.

Jillie Clark

Runs (Career)

03/25/25 vs Rocktown	3
03/21/25 @ Rocktown	2
05/16/24 vs Albemarle	2
05/13/24 vs Madison County	2
04/24/24 @ Albemarle	2

The team relied heavily on Jillie Clark, who went 1-for-2 with one home run, five RBI, and three runs. Those three runs gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Ava Hardy, who scored three runs while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances.

Western Albemarle hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. The team has now struck out at least five batters every time they've taken the field this season.

For whatever reason, it's the away team that's had the advantage when Orange County and Louisa County meet (three straight games heading into this one) and that held true again last Thursday. The Fighting Hornets lost 9-1 to the Lions. The game marked the Fighting Hornets' lowest-scoring contest so far this season.

Orange County's loss dropped their record down to 4-2. As for Western Albemarle, their record now sits at 4-0.

Western Albemarle might still be hurting after the 8-2 defeat they got from Orange County in their previous matchup back in May of 2024. Can the Warriors avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.