Home run hitters and powerful pitchers: Our 2023 Softball Super Team and All-Stars

Even though there wasn't an area high school softball team contending for a conference or MIAA state title in the spring, there were several impressive performances on the mound and at the plate.

Here's a look at the top softball players on the SouthCoast in 2023.

SUPER TEAM

Lauren Bernaiche, Apponequet, Junior

Shined on the mound for a young Apponequet team that had only two seniors on its roster. Finished with a 2.53 earned-run average and notched 123 strikeouts in 101 innings of work. Walked only 24 batters on the way to being named a South Coast Conference All-Star. "Lauren helped us with her experience and she held everything together in the circle. She pitched with a lot of composure in her second season as the team's starter," first-year coach Nate Farrington said. "She had good control and spotted her pitches well. She also did a nice job working out of jams and keeping us in games."

Marina Cadena, Wareham, Senior

The only senior on the Vikings' roster, Cadena did a great job anchoring the team's infield at shortstop. Batted .515 as the No. 3 hitter in the lineup and finished with 35 hits and 20 runs batted in. Struck out only four times all season on the way to being named a South Coast Conference All-Star. "She was a leader to a super young team. She took our younger players under her wing and helped them improve," Wareham coach Rudy Cadena said. "She hit four home runs and she was a tough out at the plate because she knew the strike zone and didn't swing at bad pitches."

Aubrey Carberry, Dartmouth, Junior

A returner to the Super Team, Carberry hit .395 as Dartmouth's No. 3 hitter with a team-high 31 runs batted in and an impressive nine home runs. Banged out 30 hits on the way to being named a Southeast Conference All-Star for the second straight season. "Aubrey was one of our most consistent players at the plate and a three-year starter at shortstop," Dartmouth coach Beth Arguin said. "She was a smart player who was tough at the plate with runners on base. She knew where to place the ball and did a nice job going to the opposite field."

Hayleigh Chenard, New Bedford, Junior

Missed only one game on the mound for the Whalers on the way to compiling an 11-9 record and 3.18 earned-run average. Opponents hit .276 against her and she finished with 110 strikeouts in 112 innings of work. Hit .328 as the team's leadoff hitter with 11 runs batted in and 22 runs scored. Was named a Southeast Conference All-Star and team MVP. "Hayleigh pitched well on a young team that picked up some valuable experience this season," New Bedford coach Harry Lowe said. "We're looking for more good things from her next season."

Amelia Davis, New Bedford, Junior

A solid defensive catcher, Davis batted .455 as the Whalers' No. 3 hitter and was recognized as a Southeast Conference All-Star. Knocked in 20 runs and scored 19. Averaged .542 with runners in scoring position and finished with a .712 slugging percentage. "Amelia is a smart, experienced player and we let her call her own games this season," New Bedford coach Harry Lowe said. "She did a great job handling Hayleigh (Chenard) and keeping her focused on the mound. She was also a vocal leader on the field who kept everybody on the same page."

Christina Magnett, Apponequet, Sophomore

Anchored the infield at shortstop and finished with a .407 batting average and 17 runs batted in for the No. 12 Lakers, whose season ended with a 5-2 loss to No. 4 Norton in the Div. 3 Round of Eight. Belted seven doubles, two triples, and two home runs on the way to being named a South Coast Conference All-Star in her second season as a starter. "Christina set the tone for us on defense and she was very consistent at the plate," first-year Apponequet coach Nate Farrington said. "She had a lot of great at bats and proved to be a tough out at the plate."

Olivia Rapoza, Dartmouth, Freshman

Turned some heads on the way to earning Southeast Conference All-Star honors in her first varsity season at third base. Batted .444 as Dartmouth's cleanup hitter, finishing with 32 hits and 23 runs batted in. Belted her only home run of the season in the team's first game. "Olivia played like a veteran," Dartmouth coach Beth Arguin said. "She was a very versatile player who would have been comfortable playing shortstop. She hit the ball hard and she was a good fielder on bunts. She was a pleasant surprise who helped our defense and gave us another weapon on offense."

Hayleigh Silva, GNB Voc-Tech, Senior

Took over on the mound after playing first base in the Bears' run to the Div. 3 state title in 2022. Finished with a 13-8 record and 3.06 earned-run average on the way to earning South Coast Conference and Standard-Times Super Team honors for the second straight season. Batted a team-high .429 and finished with a .518 on-base percentage as the Bears' leadoff hitter. Led the team with 30 hits, knocked in 16 runs, and scored 27. "Hayleigh went the distance in a lot of close games," GNB Voc-Tech coach Craig Soares said. "She also helped us in a big way with her production on offense."

Ana Tsonis, GNB Voc-Tech, Junior

A three-year starter at third base, Tsonis batted .342 with 25 hits, a team-high 29 runs batted in, and five home runs. Finished with a .630 slugging percentage and scored 20 runs on the way to being named a South Coast Conference All-Star. "Ana was tough to pitch to, because she hit the ball hard all over the field and she had good home-run power," GNB Voc-Tech coach Craig Soares said. "She helped our defense with her glove at third base and she was one of our most consistent players day in and day out. She always came ready to play."

ALL-STAR TEAM

Megan Arruda, Dartmouth, Junior

Put together a 13-9 record and 2.77 earned-run average on the way to earning South Coast Conference All-Star honors for Dartmouth. Notched 111 strikeouts in 136 innings of work with a five-pitch arsenal that kept batters off balance. Has been the team's starting pitcher the last two seasons.

Kayleigh DeSousa, Old Colony, Sophomore

Moved from left field to behind the plate and averaged .411 with 22 runs batted in and 26 runs scored. Used her speed to steal 10 bases and proved to be a solid defensive catcher with a strong throwing arm that opponents did not test. Earned Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star honors.

TOP HONOR Time injured, away from sport pushed this athlete to be our Girls Lacrosse Player of Year

Annabelle Huston, New Bedford, Junior

Batted .438 as the Whalers' cleanup hitter. Knocked in 19 runs and scored 19 runs. Helped the Whalers with her defense at first base. A three-year varsity starter, she played with a lot of confidence and poise. Was named as an honorable mention pick in the competitive Southeast Conference.

Felicity Kulak, Old Colony, Senior

Pitched every inning for the Cougars on the way to being named a Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star. Notched 75 strikeouts and tossed a no-hitter against Upper Cape in her first season on the mound. Hit .460 as the team's cleanup hitter with a .630 on-base percentage, and 21 runs batted in.

Ivy Mattos, New Bedford, Freshman

Anchored the Whalers' infield with a .931 fielding percentage in her first season as the team's shortstop. Finished with a .469 average and 22 runs batted in as the team's number-six hitter. Belted eight doubles, four triples, and two home runs. Made the plays in the field and was a tough out at the plate.

Sydney Merusi, Fairhaven, Junior

Batted .450 and knocked in 14 runs to power the Blue Devils' offense. Anchored a young infield at shortstop and proved to be a take-charge kind of player on defense who communicated well with her teammates and kept everybody on the same page. Finished with 27 hits, including six doubles.

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Ava Neno, GNB Voc-Tech, Junior

Hit. 351 with 26 hits, 16 runs batted in and 15 runs scored. Shined at second base as part of a rock-solid infield that made all the plays. Was a smart hitter at the plate who stayed away from bad pitches and proved to be a tough out. Was one of the most fundamentally-sound players in the area.

Hailey Soares, GNB Voc-Tech, Senior

Finished her career as a four-year starter for the Bears and anchored one of the area's best infields at shortstop. Batted .349 as the team's No. 5 hitter and finished with 25 hits, 21 runs batted in, and 13 runs scored. Will continue her softball career at UMass Dartmouth in the fall.

Patty Spillane, Old Colony, Sophomore

Averaged .493 as the Cougars' No. 3 hitter and led the team with 25 runs batted in. Played third base, first base, and second base. Fanned only three times all season and made only two errors in the field. Scored 22 runs and earned Mayflower Athletic Conference All-Star honors.

HONORABLE MENTION

Morgan Saraceno, Apponequet, Sophomore; Caleigh Venuti, Apponequet, Sophomore; Eva Zuber, Apponequet, Junior; Olivia Brousseau, Bishop Stang, Senior; Hannah Fortin, Bishop Stang, Senior; Katie Manzone, Bishop Stang, Junior; Grace Motto, Bishop Stang, Senior; Sarah Cabral, Dartmouth, Junior; Hannah Garcia, Dartmouth, Junior; Jolie Ferro, Fairhaven, Senior; Cassidy Saucier, Fairhaven, Senior; Genesis Nunes, GNB Voc-Tech, Junior; Belle Almeida, New Bedford, Freshman; Lily Gonet, New Bedford, Sophomore; Sophia Perry, New Bedford, Junior; Lindsey Bacchiocchi, Old Colony, Junior; Allison Bumpus, Old Colony, Senior; Taylor Goldman, Old Rochester, Junior; Rylee Kouta, Old Rochester, Junior; Madison Nereu, Wareham, Junior

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: 2023 Standard-Times Softball Super Team and All-Stars