Softball Gets Revenge Over Braintree
May 19, 2026
• The Rockets moved up a spot, from 10th to ninth, in the latest MIAA Division One Power Rankings after the win.
Needham softball earned a huge one-run victory, 11-10, over Braintree on May 18, improving to 12-2 on the season.
The Wamps, who beat the Rockets 7-3 earlier in the year, rallied in the top of the seventh but could not overcome the five-run deficit they started the inning with.
Rocket pitcher Audrey Muzikant gave up three runs to the Wamps in the top of the first, but she quickly recovered, striking out three batters. Needham’s offense responded in the bottom half of the inning with two runs, including an RBI single from Kaitlyn Cheng, to make it a one-run deficit. Muzikant settled in the second inning, striking out two more batters. Ellie Gerstel led off the bottom half with a double that bounced off the left fielder’s glove, and was later brought home on a fielder’s choice from Liv Kirschner to tie the game at three.
Neither team scored in the third or fourth innings, but Braintree retook a three-run lead in the top of the fifth. Gabby Bennett and Lexi Donahue hit RBI singles, before Sara Harvey brought the other runner home on a sacrifice fly, making it 6-3. Cheng hit a huge solo home run in the bottom of the fifth to pull the Rockets back within two.
Muzikant kept the Wamps off the board in the sixth, and Needham’s offense exploded in the bottom of the inning, scoring six runs to take an 11-6 lead. Morgan Kraft brought the first of the six runs home with an RBI single, bringing Cheng up to bat. Braintree intentionally walked Cheng to load the bases, and Bailey O’Hearn made them pay with a two-run single to centerfield. Muzikant followed with a two-run single of her own, before three more runners scored to give Needham a five-run lead.
After recording two outs in the top of the seventh, Muzikant gave up a two-run single to Liv Beck, which prompted a pitching change for the Rockets. Cheng took over in the circle, and the Wamps were able to get another two runs across to make it just a one-run deficit. Brooke Wilson popped out to Kirschner on Braintree’s final out, sealing Needham’s 11-10 victory.
The Rockets collected 13 hits in another strong offensive showing. They are now averaging more than 10 runs per game.
With the win, Needham improved to 12-2 on the season and moved up to ninth in the MIAA Division One power rankings. They will play Walpole on Wednesday, May 20, at 6 p.m. for the Bay State Conference championship.
