The New Bern Lady Bears Varsity Softball team opened its 2026 season with a commanding performance, blanking the visiting Ashley Screaming Eagles 13-0 in five innings on Wednesday night. The non-conference matchup was called early under the mercy rule after the Bears erupted for a massive third inning.
New Bern wasted no time, plating two runs in the first inning and adding one more in the second before exploding for 10 runs in the third to blow the game open. They tacked on no more runs but already secured the shutout victory.
The Bears finished with 10 hits and 11 RBIs.
Senior Anna Champey delivered a masterful complete-game shutout, tossing five innings of no-hit ball. She allowed just two walks and struck out an impressive 13 of the 18 batters she faced. She was also a top performer at the plate going 3-4 with two runs scored, two RBIs and a Triple.
The Bears are now 1-0 on the season and will be back in action Thursday night on the road at Croatan High School.