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The 29 MetroWest and Milford-area softball players to watch in the spring of 2024

kyle grabowski, the metrowest daily news
·8 min read

See you in the circle. The softball talent in MetroWest and the Milford area is overflowing with 10 Daily news all-stars returning.

Tryouts opened this week, and the first pitch is just around the corner.

Though no area teams reached the Final Four a season ago, Nipmuc and Hudson knocked on the door in the quarterfinals with plenty of talent back.

The list of the top softball players in the area includes Division 1 commits, all-region players, dangerous hitters, stalwart defenders and ace pitchers. Check out 29 softball players to watch from MetroWest and Milford in the spring of 2024:

Abigail Asman, Sr. AMSA

She hit .426 a season ago and mashed two home runs. Asman drove in 32 runs with 26 hits, as the Eagles went to the Division 4 Sweet 16.

Jumbo job: Milford's Emily Piergustavo begins coaching journey with Tufts softball

Olivia Baglione, Jr., Milford

She was named a Hockomock all-star a season ago. The triple-threat catcher, shortstop and center fielder also plays for the Scarlet Hawks' basketball team. Milford won a preliminary round Division 1 state tournament game a year ago.

Priya Bedard, Medway
Priya Bedard, Medway

Priya Bedard, Jr., Medway

She switched from shortstop to catcher last season and became a TVL all-star and the Mustangs' offensive MVP. She batted .517. Eight of her 31 hits went for extra bases, including four triples, three doubles and a home run. Bedard drove in 20 runs and stole nine bases. Defensively, she threw out 14 runners and didn't make an error, as Medway reached the Division 3 Round of 16.

Lincoln-Sudbury's Kelsey Blanchette pitches to Hopkinton in relief during a non-league game at Lincoln-Sudbury High School, April 22, 2022.
Lincoln-Sudbury's Kelsey Blanchette pitches to Hopkinton in relief during a non-league game at Lincoln-Sudbury High School, April 22, 2022.

Kelsey Blanchette, Jr., Lincoln-Sudbury

She committed to UMass in October after a sterling sophomore season where she batted .514 with two home runs, four triples and 35 runs batted in. In the circle, she struck out 89 and allowed a 1.34 ERA. Blanchette was named the Dual County League Thorpe MVP, as the Warriors advanced to the Division 1 Round of 16.

Flagship: Lincoln-Sudbury junior Kelsey Blanchette commits to UMass softball

Sarah Boozang, Jr., Franklin

She knocked in a team-high 36 hits and batted .483. Boozang scored 24 runs and was a Hockomock All-Star. As a sophomore, she stole five bases and drove in 17 runs with one homer. Franklin reached the Division 1 Sweet 16. Boozang also registered 114 putouts and a .966 fielding percentage at first base.

Hopedale pitcher Lizzie Brytowski leads her team down the line congratulating Maynard on their 5-3 win, May 31, 2022.
Hopedale pitcher Lizzie Brytowski leads her team down the line congratulating Maynard on their 5-3 win, May 31, 2022.

Lizzie Brytowski, Sr., Hopedale

She was the Dual Valley Conference pitcher of the year in 2023 and led the DVC with 178 strikeouts. She posted a 2.63 ERA and 1.51 WHIP (walks plus hits divided by innings pitched) in 109 innings. Brytowski also batted .446 with seven doubles, three triples and 14 walks. She drove in 19 runs and scored 10 herself. The Blue Raiders reached the Division 5 Round of 16.

Aces and more: 16 MetroWest and Milford-area baseball players to watch this spring in 2024

Ella Calvey, Sr., Nipmuc

She was an honorable mention Central Mass. Division 4 all-star a season ago. The Warriors reached the Division 3 quarterfinals, and she notched 31 strikeouts in 30.1 innings. Cavely produced a 4-1 record and drove in 17 runs to go with 20 hits (.318 average) and a homer.

Riley Caulfield, Sr., Millis

The three-time Tri-Valley League All-Star is aiming for No. 4 this spring. She batted 32 hits last year for a .478 average and scored 30 runs. Caufield wasn't caught while stealing 11 bases. If that wasn't enough, she also struck out 132 batters in 19 games in the circle and threw a one-hitter and three two-hitters leading Millis to the Division 5 Round of 16.

Wachusett's Riley Quirk is doubled up at first base by Hudson's Samantha Collette, after Wachusett's Gracie Granger lined out to Hudson centerfielder Sarah Korowski, who turned the double play.
Wachusett's Riley Quirk is doubled up at first base by Hudson's Samantha Collette, after Wachusett's Gracie Granger lined out to Hudson centerfielder Sarah Korowski, who turned the double play.

Samantha Collette, Sr., Hudson

She mashed seven home runs a season ago with 24 RBIs. Collette also hit .386 and had 22 hits.

Tri-County junior shortstop Ava Cossette drops down a bunt against Westford on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
Tri-County junior shortstop Ava Cossette drops down a bunt against Westford on Thursday, May 18, 2023.

Ava Cossette, Sr., Tri-County

She was a Mayflower All-Star a season ago, as the Cougars won the league championship. They also reached the Division 4 state tournament.

Musical chairs: Four of Tri-County's softball teammates played out of position. It didn't matter

Sarah Danielson, Jr., Lincoln-Sudbury

She's one of six DCL all-stars the Warriors garnered last season. Danielson led L-S with six home runs a season ago and posted six triples and seven doubles for a ridiculous 1.29 slugging percentage. She hit .521 and drove in 24 RBIs, as the Warriors reached the Division 1 Sweet 16.

Sera DeBaggis, Sr., Nipmuc

The catcher led the Warriors to the Division 3 quarterfinals a year ago. She was an honorable mention Central Mass. Division 3 all-star after driving in 18 runs and hitting .475, fourth in the Dual Valley league.

Gianna Esposito, Sr., Algonquin

She was named an honorable mention Division 2 All-Star. Esposito hit .404 with eight RBIs and a home run.

Ava Fahey, Sr., Medway

The pitcher powered the Mustangs to the Division 3 Round of 16. She's one of two returning TVL all-stars for Medway. She's also a strong golfer.

Mia Hasselback, Sr., Wellesley

She was named a Bay State Conference all-star last season as a versatile middle infielder and outfielder. The Raiders made the Division 1 state tournament before falling to eventual champion Taunton in the Round of 32. Hasselback also plays for Voodoo Softball.

Jayme Kiley, Jr., Natick

She was a Bay State All-Star last season, as the Redhawks reached the state tournament. Kiley also played on Natick's state championship girls soccer team in the fall.

HUDSON - Hudson’s Audrey Lenox celebrates her fifth-inning home run against Shrewsbury with teammates Thursday, April 20, 2023.
HUDSON - Hudson’s Audrey Lenox celebrates her fifth-inning home run against Shrewsbury with teammates Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Audrey Lenox, Sr. Hudson

The senior hit seven home runs a season ago, which tied for the Mid-Wach A lead. She also drove in 27 runs and helped the Hawks win a second consecutive CMADA title and reach the Division 3 quarterfinals. Lenox hit .435 and had 30 hits en route to a Central Mass. Division 3 honorable mention all-star nod.

SIster act: Lincoln-Sudbury softball team has four sibling pairs

Lia Mazzocchi, Sr., Lincoln-Sudbury

The pitcher was one of six DCL All-Stars for the Warriors. Mazzocchi struck out 42 in 36.2 innings and had a 2.1 ERA. They reached the Division 1 Sweet 16 a year ago. She hit .440 with 20 RBIs on 33 hits.

AMSA's Ava McLeod rounds second after hitting a home run in the top of the 7th versus Clinton.
AMSA's Ava McLeod rounds second after hitting a home run in the top of the 7th versus Clinton.

Ava McLeod, Fr., AMSA

She stormed onto the scene as an eighth grader with 44 strikeouts and a 2.28 ERA in 40 innings last spring. She went 5-3, as the Eagles reached the Division 4 Round of 16. McLeod also hit .422 with four homers and 30 RBIs.

Katie McMahon, So., Natick

One of four returning Bay State Conference all-stars for the Redhawks last season, she's also a standout goalkeeper for the Division 1 state champion girls soccer team. Natick reached the state tournament last spring.

Lincoln-Sudbury junior Grace Messina lays down a bunt during the game against Holliston in Sudbury, April 13, 2023.
Lincoln-Sudbury junior Grace Messina lays down a bunt during the game against Holliston in Sudbury, April 13, 2023.

Grace Messina, Sr., Lincoln-Sudbury

The DCL All-Star committed to Bentley in August. She hit .478 (33 hits) and scored 31 runs with a team-high nine doubles. The first baseman and outfielder also plays for the Rhode Island Thunder club program and helped the Warriors to the Division 1 Sweet 16 last year.

Lauren O'Malley, Jr., Hudson

She led the Mid-Wach A league with a .607 average and belted three home runs with 38 RBIs. O'Malley was named a Mid-Wach A all-star, and the Hawks won a second consecutive CMADA championship . Hudson also was among the final eight teams in the Division 3 state tournament.

Hopkinton High School junior softball standout shortstop Holly Paharik was named to the NFCA All-Region First Team for Region X, here at the high school field, July 20, 2023.
Hopkinton High School junior softball standout shortstop Holly Paharik was named to the NFCA All-Region First Team for Region X, here at the high school field, July 20, 2023.

Holly Paharik, Jr., Hopkinton

She's two-for-two on Tri Valley League all-star selections in her first two seasons. Paharik was also the Massachusetts player to be named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region First Team for Region X, which includes Maryland, Delaware and New England states. The Boston College commit batted .574 and had 33 RBIs with five home runs. Paharik additionally stole 15 bases in 15 attempts.

One of one: Hopkinton's Holly Paharik only Mass. high school softball player named to All-Region team

Cae Pellegrini, Jr., Milford

She mashed three home runs as a sophomore and hit .524 with an OPS of 1.372. Pellegrini drove in 16 runs and scored 24. The three-sport standout was a Hockomock All-Star. The Scarlet Hawks reached the Division 1 state tournament and won a preliminary round game.

Caroline Riley, Sr., Natick

The Redhawks bring back four all-league players, including Riley, from last year's Division 1 state tournament team. The utility infielder also plays for the MetroWest Thunder.

Marlborough shortstop Catherine Seay holds up the ball for the umpire after forcing out a Marlborough baserunner Wednesday at Westborough High School, June 2, 2021.
Marlborough shortstop Catherine Seay holds up the ball for the umpire after forcing out a Marlborough baserunner Wednesday at Westborough High School, June 2, 2021.

Catherine Seay, Sr., Marlborough

She helped the Panthers reach the Division 2 state tournament a year ago and was an honorable mention Division 2 Central Mass. all-star.

Olivia Schultz, Sr., Natick

She batted .492 with 31 hits for the Redhawks. Schultz is a two-time Bay State Conference All-Star and led Natick to the Division 1 state tournament. She posted a .981 fielding percentage as a catcher with 104 putouts.

Livi Sousa, Sr., Hudson

Another Mid-Wach A All-Star for the Hawks, she had 35 hits (.427 average) with 26 RBIs and five stolen bases. The second baseman authored a .960 fielding percentage, as Hudson got to the Division 3 quarterfinals.

Kaleigh Stenstrom, Jr., Tri-County

The pitcher is one of two returning Maylfower all-stars for the defending league champions. The Cougars are also aiming to return to the Division 4 state tournament after losing in the first round a year ago.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: The 29 HS softball players to watch in MetroWest, Milford this spring