Hampshire Regional Aims to Reclaim Throne
The Raiders have dominated Western Mass softball since 2020, reaching five straight championship games and winning three consecutive titles (2021-23). Despite falling to Pittsfield in last year’s final, veteran coach Brian McGan returns a dangerous squad led by senior sluggers CC Thayer (.412 BA in 2024) and Teagan Charles (7 HR). The Dubay sisters form the core – sophomore ace Ryanne (1.98 ERA), her catching twin Reagan (.385 BA), and freshman infielder Kalin – while 7th-grade phenom Lucy Trombley (3 hits in opener) flashes the program’s bright future.
Pitching Powers Contenders
Three aces could dominate the county:
- South Hadley’s Ella Schaeffer (796 Ks) eyes 1,000-strikeout milestone
- Frontier’s duo Raine Wonsey (1.45 ERA) and Ashley Taylor (.491 BA)
- Hopkins’ Cassandra Dion (487 Ks in 2 seasons)
Dark Horses to Watch
- Belchertown: Maine commit Julianne Cozine (4 HR in 2024) leads veteran squad
- Granby: Cassie Flaherty (97 career hits) paces 15-win 2024 roster
- Smith Academy: New PVCICS co-op adds depth to playoff push
Rebuilding Projects
Young rosters define Amherst (5 middle-schoolers), Easthampton (9 underclassmen), and Northampton (8th-grade pitching duo), while Holyoke (7 seniors) and Gateway (new coach Abbey Keeler) seek turnarounds. Smith Voc’s 23-run opener hints at offensive potential.
Key Matchup: South Hadley vs. Frontier (May 9) – A potential league title decider featuring Schaeffer vs. Wonsey.
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