The Westmont softball team did a good job loading the bases in its matchup against Branham Tuesday afternoon, but the Warriors did an even better job clearing them. As a result, Westmont came up with a 10-1 victory over the host Bruins in a non-league game.
The Warriors came up with several bases-clearing doubles, including a pair in an eight-run second inning that broke the game open. After Branham junior Natalie Dorsey, making her first high school start, set the Warriors down in order in the first inning, she ran into trouble in the second.
Senior right fielder Sarah Ossello, freshmen catcher Courtney Clevenger, and junior shortstop Allie Mohn led the offensive attack. Clevenger and Mohn each ripped a three-run double and Ossell contributed a two-run single to help Westmont take an 8-0 lead in the second inning.
“Coming out of a quick 1-2-3 inning really hypes a team up and gives them a new intensity, which is what happened with Westmont," Branham junior Tricia Smiley said. "They just used that new energy to hit the ball and score runs. The momentum built up and there was no stopping them and it just took our hopes away.”
This turned out to be the case, as the Lady Bruins had just four more baserunners and three more hits the rest of the game. Sophomore center fielder Megan Hackleman (3-for-3) drove in Branham's only run with a two-out double to right-center in the fifth inning.
Mohn, Ossello and Clevenger each went 4-for-4 for Westmont and sophomore pitcher Chelsey Skipper (3-1) helped herself with a 3-for-4 day at the plate.
