News

May 26, 2023

Daily News Softball All

Local athletes made names for themselves with star-studded performances and trophy-towing moments this past spring. After combing over statistics and results, and with the guidance of local athletic

Local athletes made names for themselves with star-studded performances and trophy-towing moments this past spring.

After combing over statistics and results, and with the guidance of local athletic directors and coaches, we at the Daily News selected All-Stars for baseball, softball, boys and girls lacrosse, boys volleyball, boys and girls tennis and boys and girls track and field.

Although the sports and skill sets may vary, there’s no denying that this group put up otherworldly numbers this spring while helping their respective teams find success – whether that be on the diamond, field, court or track.

Without further ado, the Daily News presents its 2023 All-Stars for softball:

After starting at shortstop as a freshman in 2022, Bedard moved behind the plate as a sophomore and instantly was one of the state’s best backstops. On her way to Tri-Valley League All-Star and team offensive MVP honors, Bedard batted .517 (31 hits) with four triples, three doubles, a home run, nine steals and 20 RBIs as the Mustangs (13-7) reached the Division 3 Round of 16. She also made no errors and threw out 14 runners. “Priya is just a sophomore and one of the best all-around catchers in the state,” said coach Chris Reding. “She's the definition of a dual threat with superb offense and defense.” Bedard plays summer ball for Raiders Softball.

The senior captain, center fielder and leadoff hitter, Bern earned a second straight Colonial Athletic League All-Star nod as she batted .566 (47-for-83) and a .621 on-base percentage with 13 doubles, five triple and three homers to go with 25 RBIs and 35 stolen bases as the Beavers reached the Division 4 Round of 16. “Julia is an exceptionally smart player who had my utmost confidence,” said coach Peter Cardoza. “She was the rare player who had the green light all the time. ... Her decision making was outstanding and the stats back it up.” Bern is headed to Merrimack College, where she will study criminal justice.

The sophomore pitcher and middle infielder batted .514 (36-for-70) with two homers, four triples and 35 RBIs to go with a .568 on-base percentage and an .843 slugging percentage while striking out 89 and posting a 1.34 ERA and .207 batting average against in 63 innings pitched as L-S (21-2) reached the Division 1 Round of 16. “Kelsey is a dedicated softball player who is also a phenomenal person and teammate,” said coach Devan Morrison of Blanchette, the Dual County League Thorpe MVP. “The numbers she put up this season speak to her work ethic and desire to win and be successful.”

The sophomore first baseman batted .483 with a team-high 36 hits and 24 runs on her way to team MVP and Hockomock League All-Star honors. Boozang also notched a .597 slugging percentage to go with a home run, 17 RBIs and five stolen bases as the Panthers reached the Division 1 Round of 16. At first, she had a .966 fielding percentage with 114 putouts. “Sarah’s presence on the field and at the plate set the tone for us,” said first-year coach Breanna Shaffer. “Sarah understands the game of softball so well, she is a powerhouse for us on both sides of the field.”

A returning Daily News All-Star, this senior pitcher and center fielder earned Mayflower League and team MVP honors while leading the Cougars to their first Mayflower League Large title in 17 years. On the spring, Boutin batted .518 with 43 hits, 11 doubles, three home runs, 29 runs, 32 RBIs and 35 steals. In the pitcher’s circle, she went 11-2 with a save, striking out 86 and allowing 22 earned runs in 67 innings. “In all my years of coaching, Faith has truly redefined high school athletes,” said coach Stephanie Caffrey. “She outworks every player; her ability to motivate herself and her peers is outstanding.”

The Dual Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year, this junior led the Dual Valley Conference in strikeouts (178) in 109 innings pitched, posting a 2.63 ERA, .213 batting average against and 1.51 WHIP. Brytowski also batted .446 with a 1.220 OPS with seven doubles, three triples, 19 RBIs, 10 runs and 14 walks as the Blue Raiders reached the Division 5 Round of 16. “Lizzie is a great kid who takes on leadership and work ethic independently without me ever having to push her,” said coach Jim Casey. “The ultimate competitor.”

This junior has already earned three Tri-Valley League All-Star honors, and the 2023 season was the latest masterpiece. Caulfield hit .478 with 32 hits, 30 runs and was 11-for-11 stealing bases. As a pitcher, she struck out 131 batters in 19 games (115 innings), with a one-hitter and three two-hitters to go with a 3.04 ERA as Millis reached the Division 5 Round of 16. “Riley is a passionate, driven player that any coach would want on their team,” said coach Brett MacGowan. A soccer captain and basketball player, Caulfield is a part of Millis’ Leos Club, Mohawk Society and National Honor Society. She hopes to study early education in college.

A three-year starter in center field for the Hillers, this senior two-year captain was sensational this spring in earning her second straight Tri-Valley League All-Star honors. DeSimone finished the year batting .441 with an OPS of 1.270, five homers, 23 RBI and 22 stolen bases. The team defensive MVP, DeSimone also was named the school’s 2023 US Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete. “Caroline DeSimone is a top-notch competitor,” said coach Shannon Alberry-Yerardi. DeSimone will play head to Colby College, where she will study government or international studies and play softball for the Mules.

The senior captain and catcher was named Dual Valley Conference Player of the Year, backstopping the Blue Raiders to the Division 5 Round of 16. On the spring, Fitch hit .479 with a 1.187 OPS, smacking two home runs, a triple and seven doubles along with 23 RBIs and 17 runs. According to coach Jim Casey, Fitch is “a fearless catcher who is rock solid behind the plate. I am not sure I remember any steal attempts against her this year. She has great defensive awareness and is the ultimate team leader.” A Daily News Volleyball All-Star last fall as well, Fitch will attend College of Charleston.

A two-time Daily News All-Star in basketball, Kiley was dynamite on the diamond as well, batting .460 (40-for-87) with four home runs and 36 RBIs to earn a second straight Mid-Wach A MVP award. The Hawks finished 17-6 on their way to a second straight CMADA title and the MIAA Division 3 state quarterfinals. Kiley finished her illustrious Hawks career with 141 hits, eight homers and two Daily News All-Star nods (four total). The National Honor Society president will attend UMass Amherst, where she plans to study civil engineering and play club softball and basketball.

The senior Bay State Conference All-Star was the Flyers’ MVP, batting .316 with 17 runs and 11 RBIs while pitching 15 games and amassing a 3.16 ERA as they reached the Division 1 state tournament. “Johnna’s impact on the success of this year’s team can’t be overstated,” said coach Erin Powers. “She took on the bulk of the pitching role early in the season and her competitiveness and strategic approach to batters made her the leader on the field.” A member of Framingham’s state champion dance team, Maloney will continue with dance as she attends Sacred Heart University in the fall.

The sophomore sensation batted a league-best .607 (51-for-84) to go with three home runs and 38 RBIs on her way to Mid-Wach A All-Star honors as the Hawks won a second straight CMADA title and reached the Division 3 state quarterfinals. For her two-year varsity career, O’Malley has 75 hits and five home runs. A standout defenseman on the Algonquin/Hudson hockey co-op, O’Malley is also a center back for the Hawks’ soccer team. The National Junior Honor Society member hopes to study nursing and play hockey in college.

The two-time Daily News and Tri-Valley League All-Star shortstop was the only 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. In her sensational sophomore season, Paharik batted .574 with 15 stolen bases (on 15 tries), five home runs and 33 RBIs. A varsity basketball player where she was the team MVP last winter, Paharik also enjoys horseback riding. “Holly is not only a fierce competitor, but is also an excellent leader on and off the field,” said coach Shannon Allberry-Yerardi.

A returning Daily News and Hockomock League All-Star, this sophomore third baseman was again sensation for the Scarlet Hawks, batting .524 with an OPS of 1.372 while hitting three home runs, knocking in 16 and scoring 24 runs. A varsity soccer captain and basketball standout, Pellegrini is also a high honor roll student. “Cae has the ability to change a game with one swing of the bat at anytime,” said coach Steve DiVitto. “She is a grinder and hard worker who loves the game of softball.” Pellegrini hopes to play softball in college and become a dentist.

A two-time Bay State Conference All-Star, this junior catcher, captain and team MVP was again the backbone of the Redhawks. In her third varsity season, Schultz batted .492 (31-for-63) with a .584 on-base percentage and a 1.330 OPS, stealing 14 bases while also notching 104 putouts with a .981 fielding percentage behind the plate. “Liv is unlike any other student athlete I have ever had the pleasure of coaching,” said coach Brenna Keefe. “She is the definition of dedication, grit, resilience, and sportsmanship.” A player for Raiders Softball out of Concord, Schultz enjoys weight training and chemistry, with hopes of studying biochemistry and playing softball in college.

The junior second baseman batted .427 (35-for-82) with 26 RBIs and five stolen bases while notching a .960 fielding percentage on her way to Mid-Wach A All-Star honors. She also stepped in at pitcher for 27 innings, helping Hudson reach the Division 3 state quarterfinals. In three varsity seasons, Sousa has 50 hits. “Livi is the best second baseman in the league,” said coach Laura Bowen. “She is our leader of the infield and covers so much ground. Her fundamentals are admirable and she works extremely hard every day.” A National Honor Society member, Sousa hopes to study marine biology or sports psychology and play softball in college.

A returning Daily News All-Star, the senior batted .667 (52-for-78) with 39 RBIs while striking out 145 batters over 103 innings as the Panthers reached the Division 2 Round of 16. In three varsity seasons, Wood was a three-time Tri-Valley League All-Star and a two-time team MVP. A Women in Science Club president and National Honor Society student at Holliston, Wood works at Planet Fastpitch in Uxbridge and plays for Raiders Softball out of Concord in the summer. Wood is headed to Rhode Island College, where she will major in nursing and play softball for the Anchorwomen.