The softball state champion is back and ready to defend its title.
Hampshire Regional earned the top seed in the Western Massachusetts Division 2 Tournament Tuesday.
Most of the weaponry from last year’s run is back, including the centerpiece of Hampshire’s arsenal, pitcher Alexis Ferris, who had a dominant 2016 season. Ferris threw five no-hitters with a perfect game for the Raiders (18-2).
“We’ve been there for a number of years,” Hampshire coach Brian McGan said. “We are ready to play.”
Ferris has 253 strikeouts on the season and has allowed 11 runs in 20 starts. Ferris has 626 careers strikeouts with the Raiders. (Barb LaFogg holds the program record of 666.)
After winning sectional titles in 2009, 2012, 2014 and 2015 the Raiders added a state title last season with a win over Reading.
The top-seeded Raiders play in a field of six teams. They will play the winner between No. 5 Frontier Regional and No. 4 Southwick in the semifinals at UMass on Tuesday.
“The numbers don’t really mean anything. The tournament is one and done,” McGan said. “You could be the one seed or the 10th seed and you can still win the whole thing. It’s nice to be there (top seed) but it doesn’t mean much.”
Hampshire has received contributions from up and down the lineup. Taylor Boutwell and Danielle McGan lead the team with 28 hits each. Katy O’Connor provides some power with five homers and 25 RBIs.
“When you get out there and start playing there can be nerves,” Brian McGan said. “Sometimes you get through the jitters and sometimes you don’t. But you have to get through it.”
Senior Chelsea Moussette has been another consistent bat for the Raiders.
“We haven’t put everything together yet,” McGan said. “I’m hoping we can do that at the tournament.”
Frontier and Easthampton each play at 4 p.m. on Thursday. The Red Hawks (12-6) play at Southwick (15-5), while the Eagles (12-6) travel to Wahconah (15-5).
In Division 1, first-year coach Andy Pelis got Northampton (12-8) into the playoffs, where the eighth-seeded Blue Devils (12-8) will host No. 9 Taconic (10-10) on Thursday at 4 p.m.
Northampton pitcher Anna Kerwood will look to continue her late-season momentum. In Hamp’s last game of the regular season, Kerwood threw a no-hitter against Belchertown.
The winner of Northampton and Taconic will travel to top-seeded Minnechaug (16-4) at 4 p.m. Saturday.
In Division 3, No. 7 Granby (10-10) will host Pioneer Regional (10-10) at 4 on Thursday.
Abi Beauregard is Granby’s top pitcher, while Mallory Beauregard led the team with 24 hits. Kate Sullivan is the Rams’ top run producer with 25 RBIs.
No. 10 Pope Francis (11-7), led by the offense of Krista Jasak, travels to No. 8 Franklin Tech (16-4) on Saturday for a 4 p.m. game.
No. 12 Smith Vocational (13-7) plays at No. 5 Putnam (17-3) at 4 p.m. on Thursday. Allie Kowalczyk led the team with eight homers.
