Baseball, softball, soccer state semifinal previews

Baseball

Today  Western Branch (21-5) vs. West Springfield (22-4), 3 p.m.; Cosby (20-6) vs. Woodbridge (26-0), 7 p.m.

Championship 3 p.m. Saturday

Fast facts Western Branch, vying for its first state championship since 2004, isn’t likely to see West Springfield ace Bobby Wahl today. The Ole Miss commit (12-0) pitched in the Spartans’ 8-1 quarterfinal victory. Still, Wahl – also an outfielder – figures to be a factor after batting .435 before postseason. Battle-tested Western Branch – likely to start sophomore Shane Johnsonbaugh (7-1) – has won seven one - or two -run games. Of the remaining teams, unbeaten Woodbridge has the most pop, led by Tyler Thompson (10 HRs).

– Jami Frankenberry

Softball

Today  Madison (26-2) vs. Lee-Davis (24-2), 4 p.m.; Ocean Lakes (22-3) vs. McLean (23-5), 7 p.m.

Championship 2 p.m. Saturday

Fast facts Ocean Lakes faces a surprising McLean team that upset Battlefield 1-0 in the quarterfinals. Jamie Bell threw a five-hitter in that victory and leading hitter Jamie Straub’s sacrifice fly in the sixth was the difference. Ocean Lakes ace Liz Riley (17-3) is on a roll, including a two-hit shutout of Prince George in the quarterfinals. Sami Mignat, Melina Valles and Aisha Figueroa spur the Ocean Lakes offense. Lee-Davis vs. Madison figures to be a pitching duel between Kelly Heinz and the Warhawks’ Sam Brady.

– Mike Keech

Boys soccer

Today  Cox (23-0) vs. Stone Bridge (17-3), 5 p.m.; Deep Run (16-1-1) vs. Battlefield (16-3-2), 1 p.m.

Championship 1 p.m. Saturday

Fast facts Cox seeks its third state championship and second straight. The Falcons were the only team to win their quarterfinal game in a rout, with every other contest being decided by one goal or penalty kicks. Stone Bridge, located in Ashburn, is based around defense, with a goaltender on the Washington Post’s All-Met team, and its best defender, Abdul Shaban (who will play at George Washington), as Player of the Year. Deep Run (located in Glen Allen), which edged Great Bridge in penalty kicks, is ranked No. 2 in this week’s ESPN Rise poll, while Cox is first.

– Chris Carlson

Girls soccer

Today Cox (21-1-1) vs. Stone Bridge (19-0-2), 7 p.m.; Cosby (17-3-1) vs. Loudoun Valley (19-2-3), 11 a.m.

Championship 3 p.m.

Fast facts Cox is vying for its first state title. The Falcons appeared in the state finals in 2006 and 2007. Cox, ranked No.14 in this week’s ESPN RISE.com poll, has had nine different scorers in the postseason, led by Jessie Klamut’s nine goals. Stone Bridge is the nation’s second-ranked team. The Bulldogs narrowly advanced with a 1-0 win over Forest Park. Freshman Ashley Herndon scored the game winner in the 25th minute. It also was her 25th goal of the season. The Bulldogs have won 13 consecutive games.

– Larry Rubama

(All games at Westfield H.S., Chantilly)