Richard Bland College Women's Softball

Bio Posted June 18, 2024: Braun Set to Lead Statesmen Softball Program SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – Joe Braun, has been named the new Softball Coach at Richard Bland College of William & Mary. The announcement came from Scott Newton, Director of Student Life & Athletics.   Braun brings a wealth of knowledge to Richard Bland, having coached for over 20 years at all levels of the game, as well as playing men's fastpitch softball after college.   Braun arrives at RBC from Southampton Academy, where he served as a Head Coach and Teacher. At Southampton Academy, Braun has played a key role in the development of the softball program. His team upset the 4th seed in last year's State Tournament, winning their first-ever game in a State Tournament, in almost a decade. The team's batting average, ERA, and strikeout to walk ratio all improved immensely under Braun's leadership. Prior to taking over at Southampton Academy, Braun spent a year as an Assistant Coach/Pitching Coach at Chowan University, where he was responsible for calling pitches, team travel, scheduling, recruiting, study hall management, fundraising, and much more.   Braun spent one year as an Assistant Coach at Georgian Court University, where he worked with the pitching staff and called pitches, worked with outfielders and corners, and focused on offense including small ball and slapping. Prior to Georgian Court University, Braun was the Head Softball Coach and Assistant to the Athletic Director at Baruch College for two seasons where he turned a struggling program around in months, recruiting and retaining a competitive team during his time at the helm.   "I would like to thank Athletic Director, Scott Newton, and the entire Richard Bland College family for this exciting opportunity," says Braun. "I look forward to building great success for this program, on and off the field."   Before joining the college ranks, Braun was the Head Varsity Softball Coach at St. Rose High School, where his team qualified for the State Tournament for the first time in almost a decade.   "We are excited to welcome Joe Braun to Richard Bland College," says Athletic Director Newton. "Coach Braun's experience recruiting at the collegiate level will be a great asset to RBC and have an immediate impact on the success of the Statesmen softball program."   Braun is a graduate of Western Governors University in Millcreek, Utah where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Special Education with a minor in English, as well as his Master's Degree in Educational Leadership. He was a member of the baseball team at USC Upstate (formerly USC Spartanburg), prior to finishing his degree at Western Governors University. 

Bio Posted January 14, 2026: Bennett Joins Coaching Staff as Assistant Coach SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, VA – Isabella Bennett joins the softball coaching staff with extensive experience at the middle school and travel levels, along with a strong background in education. A former Roanoke College student-athlete and VHSL Class 5 State Champion, Bennett brings a player-centered approach focused on skill development, teamwork, and discipline. She has served as a head and assistant softball coach in Prince George County since 2022, where she has led practice planning, game strategy, and athlete development. Bennett holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Public Health and is a licensed Pre-K–6 educator, allowing her to effectively support student-athletes both on and off the field.

Bio Bilyard returns to the RBC softball coaching staff as an Assistant Coach for her 4th season in the 2024-25 academic year, Bilyard joined RBC after playing two years at Richard Bland and two years with Virginia State University as a pitcher and outfielder. Bilyard will help manage day-to-day operations, budgets, and recruiting. She graduated from Virginia State University with a Master's in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Psycology and Criminal Justice in 2022.