Dracut ready to take next step
The optimism in Dracut should be high, and for good reason. The Middies, coming off a state final appearance, bring back critical pieces to try to remain among the Division 2 elites and make another attempt at bringing home their first state title since 1998.
First-year coach April Eringis has one of the best pitchers in the state at her disposal in Herald All-Scholastic Ryley White. The junior hurler boasted a 1.00 ERA last year and racked up 308 strikeouts.
White also possesses a strong bat, while junior Sabrina Morse is a tough out and provides stellar defense behind the plate.
Burlington, which returns eight starters, has its own junior battery and looks for an eighth straight Middlesex League title — and more. Christina Clark struck out nearly two batters per inning last year and forms a dynamic duo with catcher Meaghan Gurska.
North Reading returns a senior core led by reigning Cape Ann League Kinney MVP Tara Driver, who drove in 31 runs a season ago.
The Northeastern Conference features three top teams. Coming off of a breakout sophomore campaign, Charlotte Plakans is back in the pitching circle for Marblehead, while Bel Sogoloff and Mercedes Pelletier anchor the lineup.
Danvers packs a punch with sophomore Paige Wodarski, who hit four home runs last year. Swampscott, which has fallen short in the North final the past three seasons, will have to deal with the graduation of twotime NEC MVP Hannah Leahy, but has Riley Lord and Katie Watts leading a veteran squad.
For the first time in 29 years, Tewksbury has a new coach (Brittney KannanSouza) taking the reins and she’ll look to seniors Catherine Butler and Brooke LaMothe to pave the way at the top of the order.
Whittier Tech makes the jump up to Div. 2 this season and returns the Commonwealth Athletic Conference Large MVP in junior pitcher Nicole Verrette.
However, there may be no pitcher that can match Norton’s Kelly Nelson.
The Holy Cross commit and reigning Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year compiled four perfect games, an 0.11 ERA and 398 strikeouts to lead the Lancers to the South title last year as a junior.
It isn’t just Nelson, though, as Steph Nosky, a Herald All-Scholastic, will man third base once again, while Tri-Valley League AllStars Ally Frontino, Nicole Grainger and Olivia Pietersen are all back.
Coming off a second straight South Coast Conference title, Dighton-Rehoboth will rely upon its dynamic duo in the circle. Mia Iodice, a University of New Haven commit, and UMaine-bound Emily Reid are in the mix again.
Fairhaven and Old Rochester are also strong contenders out of the SCC. The Blue Devils have a potent power hitter in junior catcher Elyse Rebelo, who hit .494 last season with 37 RBI.
For the Bulldogs, senior leadoff hitter and shortstop Sophie Hubbard looks to spark a blend of veterans and underclassmen.
Norwood, which has won seven out of the last nine Bay State Conference Herget titles, moves back to Div. 2 and returns six starters, highlighted by senior Janelle Kelleher and junior Bryn Garczynski.
Nneka Pawlowski is now at the helm at Bishop Stang, which features senior Casey Thomas, who will make a big impact in the circle and at the plate.
Hanover is certainly no slouch and could make some noise with senior Lauren Gelly and junior Maegan Amsler leading the way.