Trailblazer Softball voted fifth in MASCAC preseason poll

Westfield, Mass.— The MCLA Softball program was voted to finish fifth in the MASCAC preseason poll.  The conference offices announced the results of the poll earlier today.

 

Bridgewater State has been chosen to win the Championship as voted on by the eight coaches from around the conference. 

 

The Bears collected six first place votes for 48 points and were 12-2 during league play last season to take home a share of the regular season title. Returning in the circle is reigning MASCAC Rookie of the Year Kelley Reichert finished her first year with a 2.64 ERA, eight wins, 13 complete games, two shutouts, 51 strikeouts over 122 innings pitched while holding opponents to a .273 batting average. 

 

Sitting in the second spot with the final two first place vote is reigning tournament champions Framingham State with 42 points. The Rams were 12-2 to earn the other share of the regular season crown. All-Conference first baseman Grace Caughey returns after registering a .346 batting average, 54 hits, including 14 doubles and two home runs with a league-leading 41 RBI and 35 runs scored. 

 

Fitchburg State lands in third with 34 points. The Falcons were 8-6 in conference action in 2019. Dual threat Mikayla Harnois is back for the team after leading the MASCAC in batting average at .397 and slugging percentage (.513) while hitting nine doubles with 20 runs scored and 12 RBI. Over 105 innings pitched, she had a 2.67 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 13 wins to earn All-Conference accolades. 

 

Coming in fourth with 32 points is Westfield State. The Owls had an 8-6 record last season during the MASCAC campaign. Utility All-Conference honoree Sarah Meunier is back on the diamond for the team. During the 2019 season, she finished with a .333 batting average, .508 slugging percentage, five doubles, two home runs, 12 runs scored, 18 RBI, six walks and two stolen bases. 

 

MCLA is fifth with 24 points. The Trailblazers finished 7-7 in 2019 during league action. Samantha Feinstein returns in the circle after ending last season with a 2.84 ERA, 67 strikeouts, eight win, 15 complete games and a shutout to find herself on the All-Conference team. 

 

Landing in sixth is Worcester State with 21 points. The Lancers were 7-7 in conference competition last season. Samantha Stake returns for the team after netting a .296 batting average with three doubles, two triples, 12 runs scored, 15 RBI, six and a .361 slugging percentage. 

 

Rounding out the 2020 poll in seventh and eighth are Salem State and Massachusetts Maritime with 16 and seven points, respectively. First baseman Dominique Del Vecchio is back for the team after batting .288 with 32 total hits, 30 RBI, 13 runs, 10 walks and a .365 on-base percentage. For the Buccaneers last season, Madison Ovadek was fourth in the league in batting average at .387 with two doubles and a home run, 14 runs scored, 10 RBI, .453 slugging percentage and .427 on-base percentage. 

 

The MASCAC softball squads begin their 2020 season with play over spring break with Bridgewater State, Fitchburg State and Westfield State starting March 7-8.

 

2020 MASCAC Softball Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

1.	Bridgewater State	(6)	48 points
2.	Framingham State	(2)	42 points
3.	Fitchburg State		34 points
4.	Westfield State		32 points
5.	MCLA		24 points
6.	Worcester State		21 points
7.	Salem State		16 points
8.	Mass. Maritime		7 points