CHICOPEE — The Northampton softball team scored early and throughout the game against Chicopee to secure a 9-3 win and qualify for the postseason.

Northampton needed to win to finish tied with Chicopee for second place in the Valley Wheel. Both teams are 8-11 overall and 5-3 in the league.

The Blue Devils were aggressive with seven stolen bases and 11 hits to take control of the game at Szot Park.

“I told them if we play our game, good things will happen, and for the most part they did,” Northampton coach Andy Pelis said. “We made a few mistakes here and there but for the most part they kept their composure and they got it done.”

The Blue Devils, who lost to Chicopee earlier in the season, held the Pacers scoreless through the first four innings while taking a 6-0 lead.

Marissa Badorini struck out seven and worked around 11 walks and two hits over seven innings for the win. Badorini struck out Pacers right fielder Amber Chartier with the bases loaded to end the bottom of the sixth.

Second baseman Jill McGrath went 3-for-5 and scored two runs for the Blue Devils.

Emilia Pelis was 2-for-3 with three RBIs, while Maya Williams was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

“I think we have made so much progress from the beginning of the season to now,” senior third baseman Calista Lebron said. “I think we did a great job today. We came out the way we know we can.”

Lebron went 1-for-4 with two RBIs. At the end of her sophomore season, she tore her ACL and meniscus. She underwent surgery in October of her junior year, and spent the following six months rehabbing the repaired knee.

“It just feels so great to be back on the field and doing what I love again,” Lebron said. “The six-month recovery was difficult to say the least but I’m thankful that I have a great group of girls behind me to support me in all that I do.”

Pacers left fielder Zinya Vazquez and second baseman Meghan McDonough each had a hit and scored a run. McDonough hit a triple in the bottom of the seventh inning to score Averie Gatzounas with the Pacers’ third run.

The Blue Devils will close their regular season against Ludlow at home on Saturday. Tournament seeds will then be announced on Tuesday.

“We just need to do the little things. We don’t need to make an extraordinary play, we just need to make the routine plays,” Andy Pelis said. “If we can do that and not let the errors affect us, then you never know. It’s tournament ball and anything can happen.”

Northampton 9, Chicopee 3

Northampton         103 211 1 — 9 11 2

Chicopee                 000 010 2 — 3 2 1

WP—Badorini LP—Meade

Records: Northampton (8-11, 5-3 Valley Wheel) Chicopee (8-11, 5-3)