Ten years is a long time to wait, especially in sports, and that’s exactly how long it’s been since the Hampshire Regional softball team last won a state championship.
The Raiders have threatened multiple times since, including a state final appearance in 2023, but have yet to successfully scale the mountain.
That could change in 2026.
Hampshire’s lineup is loaded with talent, starting with the Dubay sisters in Ryanne, Raegan and Kalin. Twins Ryanne and Raegan Dubay return as the Raiders’ elite pitcher-catcher combination, while Kalin, the youngest of the three, is back as their jitterbug middle infielder.
Lucy Trombley, an eighth-grader, could easily become one of Hampshire’s most important players as the youngster can smack the cover off the ball, a skill the Raiders certainly don’t lack as they’ve scored a combined 59 runs in five games.
Reygan Horstmann (eighth-grader), Rachael Hickox (junior) and Mariah Pacinella (junior) should be reliable bats for Hampshire as well.
The Raiders will be tested every game as they slot into the Valley League, with the best of Hampden and Berkshire Counties, but that’s nothing new for the black-and-red.
What is different this season is Hampshire’s non-conference slate, which will be one of the most challenging in recent memory. The Raiders, who reside in Division 4, will play Division 3 Tantasqua Regional and Nipmuc Regional, Division 1 Wachusett and Malden Catholic, two versus Division 5 Greenfield, and one each against Division 4 stalwarts Frontier and Joseph Case, the latter being the team that has ended their season the past three years.
Hampshire’s depth suffered slightly with the departures of former seniors CC Thayer and Teagan Charles, but names such as Chelsea Vanasse (senior), Caroline Payson (junior) and Allison St. Pierre (junior) provide veteran experience to a Raiders squad that holds eight underclassmen.
Speaking of experience, head coach Brian McGan is the elder statesmen of local softball coaches, closing in on two decades as Hampshire’s skipper.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of each area softball team:
Note: Amherst did not field a team this spring.
Belchertown
Coach: Mike Lafayette/third season
League: Bi-County
Last year’s record: 14-4
Roster: Abby Almeida (Sr.), Kaiya Cavanaugh (Jr.), Cassidy MacLean (Soph.), Sophia Mitus (Jr.), Kina Roy (Soph), Lila Roy (Jr.), Emily Waller (Jr.), Madeline Williams (Soph.), Loralai Smith (Sr.), Samantha Letzeisen (Soph.), Alexa Raymer (Soph.), Aliya Sabourin (Sr.), Lyla-Rae Williams (Sr.), Juli Delaney (Fr.), Annabelle Morra (Fr.), MacKenzie Stone (Soph.), Callie Hevey (Fr.), Kamila Santiago (Fr.).
Outlook: The Orioles should be a tough out with an admirable collection of capable arms and confident bats. Belchertown has already flexed its muscles through four games, outscoring opponents, 66-20. Kina Roy and Madeline Williams look to be the Orioles’ top options in the circle. Watch for Sophia Mitus, Lila Roy, Emily Waller, Abby Almeida and Kina Roy, per Lafayette.
Easthampton
Coach: Joseph Roy/second season
League: Bi-County
Last year’s record: 3-17
Roster: Rylie Battey (Fr.) , Meghan Bixby (Fr.), Melinda Day (Jr.), Elizabeth Doyle (Sr.),
Lily Foster (Soph.), Lucy Graham (Fr.), Maya Pajak (Soph.), Summer Routhier (Jr.), Noella Ryan (Soph.), Brooke Skowron (Jr.), Madison Urban (Jr.), Ava Vallas (Fr.),
Nuala Walsh (Fr.).
Outlook: The Eagles have a stud in the circle in Summer Routhier and the junior will likely determine just how far Easthampton goes this spring. Routhier has already posted three straight games of 10 or more strikeouts. Routhier and Madison Urban have paced the offense through early April for the Eagles.
Gateway
Coach: Abbey Keeler/second season
League: Franklin West
Last year’s record: 1-17
Roster: Evelyn Cammisa (eighth), Elizabeth Kadzik (Sr.), Kate Lewis (Sr.) Rylan McCaul (Sr.), Erica Madru (Sr.), Grace Renauld (Sr.), Jayliana Rivera (Sr.), Thea Meyerhoff (eighth), Alessandra Knachel (eighth), Maddison Muise (eighth), Leah Boyer (eighth), Tess Hansen (Fr.), Lyla D’Astous (eighth).
Outlook: It’s been tough sledding for the Gators over the last few seasons, but this year’s senior-heavy group is motivated to turn things around. Look for Erica Madru, Jayliana Rivera and Tess Hansen to shoulder the load. Gateway dropped its season opener 15-13, keeping up with Mount Everett last Tuesday.
Granby
Coach: Mike Afflitto/third season
League: Suburban East
Last year’s record: 12-9
Roster: Kaitlyn Curran (Sr.), Ellie Szlosek (Jr.), Meredith Bartosz (Jr.), Jaidyn Roberge (Jr.), Kiki Gaj (Jr.), Sydney Chateauneuf (JR.), Autumn Swistak (Jr.), Grace Pula (Soph.), Abby LaDuke (Soph.), Kara White (Fr.), Rowan Cook (Fr.), Josie Curran (Fr.), Ari Mislak (Fr.), Honor DeCarlo (Fr.).
Outlook: Firepower is scattered throughout the Rams’ lineup, starting with senior Kaitlyn Curran, who will surpass 100 career hits this season, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Ellie Szlosek, Rowan Cook, Jaidyn Roberge and Kara White will be impactful players at the plate too. Granby gets to trot out Meredith Bartosz as it’s No. 1 pitcher and the junior has done enough to win five of six games to date.
Hampshire
Coach: Brian McGan/19th season
League: Valley League
Last year’s record: 23-2
Outlook: Anything less than a state championship run would be a disappointment over in Westhampton. The Raiders last claimed the state crown in 2016.
Holyoke
Coach: Alex Robles/first season
League: Franklin West
Last year’s record: 6-14
Roster: Kierstin St. Lawrence (Sr.), Ishanellys Rivera (Soph.), Lily Tapion (Sr.), Anjali Tabin (Jr.), Jasani Colon (Jr.), Grace Bechard (Jr.), Zomaris Robles (Soph.), Alondra Colon Arce (Jr.), Isabella Lachat (Soph.), Grace Phillips (Jr.), Jessayra Maldonado (Sr.), Samantha Rodriguez (Sr.), Alanna Bonilla (Jr.).
Outlook: The Purple Knights were gutted by graduation, losing seven players from last season’s team, but bring back some difference-makers in Lily Tapion and Alanna Bonilla. Being in the Franklin West league should help ease Holyoke’s likely turbulent initial stretch of the schedule.
Hopkins
Coach: Paula Cristoforo/11th season overall–first since 2024
League: Franklin East
Last year’s record: 17-5
Roster: Alayna Bailey (Sr.), Lily Ellia (Sr.), Madelei Gallo (Sr.), Nicole Peloquin (Sr.), Cora White (Jr.), Isabella Bramucci (Soph.), Cailie Edwards (Soph.), Arianna Roberts (eighth) Louannie Gonzalez (seventh), Cassandra Dion (Jr.), Olivia Earle (Soph.), Reese MacGregor,(eighth), Allison Skwisz (eighth).
Outlook: It’s been a milestone season already for the Golden Hawks as two of their seniors surpassed the 100-career hit benchmark. Both Lily Ellia and Alayna Bailey joined the century mark in Hopkins’ early-season slate. Cassandra Dion will look to add to the list as the junior flamethrower is close to 500 career strikeouts. Head coach Paula Cristoforo is back in the dugout after being away from the team for the past two years.
Northampton
Coach: Chase Every-Giroux/third season
League: Bi-County
Last year’s record: 9-10
Roster: Emily Kajka (eighth), Greta Lepore (eighth), Jani Gotay (Soph.), Jayda Alejandro (Soph.), Ryleigh Pease (Fr.), Talia Garretson (Fr.), Avery Hicks (seventh), Alex Van Stee (seventh), Sadie Muszynski (sixth), Rosie Simmons (seventh), Abigail Rosario (eighth), Mia Lindhal (eighth), Ella Subocz (Soph.), Thea Piziali (Fr.).
Outlook: Despite being one of the youngest teams in the area, you wouldn’t know it looking at the Blue Devils’ record through four games. Northampton ran the table during that span, with pitchers Greta Lepore and Emily Kajka showcasing impressive stuff as the duo combined for 38 strikeouts.
“With such a young roster, our milestones this season will focus on growth and development,” Blue Devils head coach Chase Every-Giroux said. “We want to see our younger players gain varsity experience and confidence as the season goes on, especially with so many athletes in grades seven through ninth grade stepping into bigger roles. Developing consistency on defense and continuing to build around our pitching will be important steps for us.”
Smith Academy
Coach: Moira Pitrat/fourth season
League: Tri-County
Last year’s record: 2-14
Roster: Marissa Belina (Sr.), Emma Tisdell (Sr.), Lily Harrington (Soph.) Madelyn Barrett (Fr.), Millie Barszcz (eighth), Isabella Cestero (Sr.), Nataly Slysz (Jr.), Mia Place (Jr.), Quinn Carlson (Soph.), Sofia Cestero (Soph.)
Outlook: The Falcons have struggled to rack up wins the last few seasons, but have showed some promise, winning two of its first three games this year. Quinn Carlson looks to be Smith Academy’s go-to pitcher, while Emma Tisdell and Nataly Slysz are among the Falcons’ most potent hitters.
South Hadley
Coach: Colleen Soja/first season
League: Frankin East
Last year’s record: 14-9
Roster: Ryley McMahon (Jr.), Lilly Powell (Soph.), Sienna LaFlesh (Fr.), Emily Stark (Fr.), Violet Carillon (Fr.), Kayleigh Walsh (Fr.), Grace Matyszewski (Jr.), Samantha LaFlesh (Fr.), Sophia Scribner (Fr.), Samantha Murphy (Fr.), Sierra Edwards (Fr.), Lillian Fitzgerald (Soph.), Leah Denison (Soph.), Corrine Charlebois (Jr.), Kaylyn Colon (Fr.).
Outlook: Losing a 1,000-career strikeout arm from your team is never easy to overcome, but that’s exactly what the Tigers will have to do this spring after longtime ace Ella Schaeffer graduated last year. It appears the LaFlesh sisters will take over pitching responsibilities, while Ryley McMahon boasts varsity experience on an underclassmen-heavy lineup.
Smith Voc
Coach: Alicia Carter/second season
League: Franklin West
Last year’s record: 5-9
Roster: Roma Bentrewicz (Sr.), Holly Sampson (Fr.), Leah Franklin (Jr.), Kirra Trudell (Jr.), Addison Ducharme (Soph.), Willow Hicks (Soph.), Grace Sampson (Soph.), Brooke Gould (Fr.), Grace Hunt (Fr.), Mallory Radwich (Fr.), Adalynn Roberts (Fr.), Anna Tompkins (Fr.).
Outlook: Don’t be surprised if the Vikings take a considerable step forward this season in the wins-losses department. Smith Voc lost its fair share of talent to graduation, but bring back Willow Hicks, Mallory Radwich and pitcher Grace Sampson, who all should regularly fill-up the scorebook for the Vikings.
