WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University softball team has been picked to finish third in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC), as voted on by the eight coaches from around the conference.
The Lancers finished the 2017 season with an 18-18 overall record and a 9-5 slate in league action under the guidance of head coach Michelle Cote.
All-Conference honoree Sydney Despres (Sterling, Mass.) returns for her senior season. She was first in the league in on-base percentage (.526), slugging percentage (.743), walks (23) and home runs (7). Her batting average (.410) was second-best in the conference with 28 RBI and three stolen bases.
Offensively, the Lancers also return All-Conference recipient Dakota Smith-Porter (Montague, Mass.) who finished last season with a .341 batting average, .408 on base percentage, as she collected five home runs and four doubles with 25 RBI and 10 walks. The Lancers also anticipate a big offense from Becky Brandeberry (Phillipston, Mass.) and newcomer Katie Polselli (Charlton, Mass.).
Haley Scola (Worcester, Mass.) and Kaiulani Ennis (Swansea, Mass.) return in the outfield, while the Lancers return three starting infielders (Despres, Kristen Huston, and Kaci Panarelli).
Expectations are high with the return of the pitching staff of Smith-Porter, Rachel Frisch (Worcester, Mass.), and Carly Zielinski (Monson, Mass.). Smith-Porter led the team in ERA last season with a 2.33. She also struck out a team-best 41 batters. Frisch and Zielinski had 3.50 and 3.97 ERA's last season, respectively.
The Lancers welcome newcomers Samantha Stake (Worcester, Mass.), Sam Maglione (Lancaster, Mass.) and Ashley Lynch (Shrewsbury, Mass.) who should see significant playing time.
The softball team kicks off the 2018 season in Clermont, Fla. on March 18. The first home game of the season is set for March 28 at 4 p.m. against UMass Dartmouth.
2018 MASCAC Softball Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)
| 1. | Framingham State | (7) | 49 points |
| 2. | Westfield State | (1) | 39 points |
| 3. | Worcester State | 35 points | |
| Bridgewater State | 28 points | ||
| 5. | Salem State | 28 points | |
| 6. | Fitchburg State | 25 points | |
| 7. | MCLA | 12 points | |
| 8. | Mass. Maritime | 8 points |