Gazette All-Stars: Softball: Diamond dominance
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
The Daily Hampshire Gazette Spring All-Star series continues with girls softball.
This year's edition features all-time greats, standout leaders, super sophomores and champions.
Amherst Regional enjoyed a phenomenal year led by one of the region's great senior classes and recent graduates Simone Frank, Quianna Diaz-Patterson, Emma Mendoker and Zoe Dillon-Davidson are all multiple-time first-team selections during their careers. They are also joined by first-time first-teamer junior Brittany Deres.
The Hurricanes, who reached the state Division 1 final and lost to King Philip 1-0 on what turned out to be a controversial call after the fact, nearly became only the second all-time D-1 state champion from western Massachusetts.
Mendoker, the pitcher, recorded her 1,000th career strikeout during the state final and was honored as the Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year. One of the top pitchers in WMass history, she will head to Division I East Carolina next season.
Diaz-Patterson, the team's shortstop, was one of the very best hitters in the state and finished her career with jaw-dropping offensive numbers, including 144 career hits, and a perfect 105-for-105 stolen base success rate in three years. She'll play at UMass next year.
Frank, the team's vacuum of a third baseman, won three WMass titles as a four-year starter with the Hurricanes and was the ultimate No. 2 hitter, batting. 438 and reaching base at a .515 clip.
Frank and Dillon-Davidson, the outstanding catcher, will play at Williams College next year. Dillon-Davidson, Amherst's No. 3 hitter, batted .487 and had 25 RBIs and 27 runs scored.
For the rest of the softball all-stars turn to page D2.
First team
EMMA MENDOKER (Amherst Regional): The senior pitcher wrapped up her career as one of the greatest hurlers in western Mass. history. ... Led team to first state Division 1 tournament final for first time since 1994. ... Struck out 1,002 career batters in four varsity seasons. ... As a senior, she posted a 0.17 earned run average and struck out 300. ... Offensively, she batted .461, slugged .711 and reached base .559 with three home runs and 23 RBIs. ... Will pitch at East Carolina University in the spring. ... A three-time Gazette first-team selection.
QUIANNA DIAZ-PATTERSON (Amherst Regional): The senior shortstop was arguably the best hitter in the state, leading the Hurricanes to the state Division 1 tournament final. ... Speedster batted .559 with a .978 slugging and .604 on-base percentages along with eight home runs, 40 runs scored and 21 RBIs. ... Stole 31 bases as a senior and finished her career 105-for-105 in career stolen base attempts. ... Had 144 career career hits. ... Will play at the University of Massachusetts in the spring. ... A three-time Gazette first-team selection.
SIMONE FRANK (Amherst Regional): The senior third baseman was a four-year starter for the Hurricanes and won three WMass Division 1 Tournament titles in that time. ... No. 2 hitter batted .438 and reached base at a .515 clip. ... Scored 32 runs and drove in 18 on 39 hits. Also stole 27 bases and finished her career with 77 swipes. ... Had 114 career varsity hits. ... Will play at Williams College in the spring. ... A two-time Gazette first-team selection.
ZOE DILLON-DAVIDSON (Amherst Regional): The senior catcher was a standout both on the plate and at it for the Hurricanes, who reached the state Division 1 tournament title game. ... No. 3 hitter batted .487, slugged .750 and reached base for a .576 on-base percentage. ... Had three home runs, 25 RBIs and 27 runs scored on 37 hits. ... Finished her career with 91 hits in three varsity seasons. ... Will play at Williams College in the spring. ... A three-time Gazette first-team selection.
BRITTANY DERES (Amherst Regional): The junior left fielder's emergence as a standout threat in the No. 5 spot in the lineup made the Hurricanes even better in 2011 than in their 23-1 season in 2010. ... Batted .333 and slugged .385. ... Had one home run and nine RBIs. ... Singled home two big runs in 3-0 state semifinal win over Milford ... Expected to take over in the circle as a senior for the Hurricanes. ... An honorable mention selection as a sophomore.
SAM MANITSAS (Belchertown): The sophomore pitcher built on a strong freshman campaign as the Division 2 Orioles squared off against a Division 1 schedule all season. ... Finished with a 12-9 record and a 2.39 ERA. Struck out 86 batters in 131-2/3 innings pitched. ... An honorable mention selection as a freshman.
SHAUNA LEBLANC (Belchertown): The senior shortstop was dazzling with the glove and led the team in batting average at .348 during the regular season. ... A slick fielder whose anchored the defense behind pitcher Sam Manitsas. Made just five errors in 130 chances during regular seaon. ... Posted a .455 on-base percentage and stole nine bases. Finished with 20 runs scored, one home run and nine RBIs. ... Will attend Western New England College next year.
ANGELICA PERFIDO (Frontier Regional): The senior took over at catcher and made the position a strength for the Red Hawks. ... Posted a team-high .476 batting average, scored 22 runs and drove in 16. ... Posted six doubles, two triples and a home run. ... Will play at MCLA next season. ... A two-time Gazette first-team selection.
MEL STIER (Frontier Regional): The senior second baseman wrapped up an incredible run as one of the school's all-time great athletes with a strong spring. ... Was named a Gazette first-team selection in each of soccer, basketball and softball for the second straight year. ... After scoring her 100th career goal during the soccer season, notched her 100th career hit in softball ... Led the team with 31 hits, four triples and 26 RBIs. Also scored 27 runs. ... Batted .373 on the season. ... Will play soccer at Amherst College next season.
BRIE ENGLEBRECHT (Granby): The junior outfielder was a dynamic force both at the plate and in the field. ... A five-tool player who could hit for average and power, run, field and throw all at high levels. ... Batted a team-high .456 and hit two home runs. ... Led the team with 25 RBIs. ... Keyed the Rams to their third straight WMass Division 3 Tournament semifinals appearance. ... A two-time Gazette first-team selection.
BRI MOUSSETTE (Hampshire Regional): The junior catcher was a team leader for the Red Raiders, who reached their third straight Western Massachusetts Division 2 Tournament title game. ... Led the team in batting with a .524 average to go with five home runs and 24 RBIs. ... Dangerous No. 3 hitter anchored the middle of the lineup. ... Also a strong defensive catcher behind the plate. ... A two-time Gazette first-team selection.
JANELLE GORMAN (Hampshire Regional): The junior designated player continued to swing a big bat for the Red Raiders, leading the squad to its third straight Western Massachusetts Division 2 Tournament title game. ... Clean-up hitter finished with a .415 batting average and matched Bri Moussette for the team lead in home runs with five during the regular season. Drove in a team-best 27 RBIs in the regular season. ... A two-time Gazette first-team selection.
ASHLEE McGAN (Hampshire Regional): After splitting time in the circle as a freshman, the sophomore pitcher took over as the team's No. 1 hurler and continued to impress. ... Posted a 13-2 record in the regular season with 115 strikeouts against 14 walks. ... Had a 1.11 earned run average. ... Batted for a .415 average at the plate and drove in 10. ... An honorable mention selection as a freshman.
KERRY McCARTHY (Northampton): The senior shortstop posted impressive numbers despite missing six games due to a concussion. ... Strong play both at the plate and in the field helped the Blue Devils secure second place in the Valley Wheel. ... Led the team with a .411 batting average and was second on the squad with 23 hits despite games missed. ... A strong shortstop with a terrific arm. ... Will play at Westfield State University next year.
MARY GRECO (Northampton): The sophomore pitcher took over in the circle and got the Blue Devils back to the postseason after missing the tournament in 2010. ... Frequently helped herself with strong offensive performances and led the team in hits (24), runs scored (13), RBIs (13), doubles (three) and home runs (two). ... Second on the team with a .369 batting average.
ALLISON SLYSZ (Smith Academy): The senior catcher was a bright spot for the Falcons during a tough season. ... Posted a team-high .528 batting average. ... Had two triples in loss to Gateway. ... Class valedictorian and four-year class president will play field hockey and basketball at Mount Holyoke College. ... Also a Gazette first-team selection in field hockey and second-team selection in baseketball. ... A second-team softball selection as a junior.
Second team
Emma Ayres, senior, Amherst Regional
Erinne Dull, freshman, Belchertown
Sara Mackiewicz, senior, Belchertown
Jessica Karrasch, junior, Belchertown
Cara Scheesher, senior, Easthampton
Casey Gavin, junior, Frontier Regional
Cassidy Stankowski, sophomore, Frontier Regional
Abbie Fydenkevez, senior, Frontier Regional
Brooke Fairman, sophomore, Gateway Regional
Regan Teixiera, senior, Gateway Regional
Tessa Cote, sophomore, Granby
Noelle Menard, sophomore, Granby
Allison Bednarsky, junior, Hampshire Regional
Savannah Waters, eighth-grader, Hampshire Regional
Abbey Craig, senior, Holyoke Catholic
Bobbi Morey, junior, Holyoke Catholic
Leigh Johnston, freshman, Northampton
Maya Kerstetter, freshman, Northampton
Sarah Kosakowski, senior, Hopkins Academy
Alyssa Klepacki, junior, Smith Academy
Honorable Mention
Helene Flittie, junior, Amherst Regional
Athena Donta, sophomore, Amherst Regional
Erica Boileau, sophomore, Belchertown
Becca Lambert, senior, Easthampton
Hannah Dion, senior, Easthampton
Kacey Roberts, junior, Frontier Regional
Krystel Enko, sophomore, Frontier Regional
Brie Cook, junior, Frontier Regional
Chelsea Merritt, junior, Gateway Regional
Jamie Pease, sophomore, Gateway Regional
Liz Simonowicz, junior, Gateway Regional
Alex White, sophomore, Granby
Brie Mercier, sophomore, Granby
Taylor Johnson, senior, Granby
Megan Logan, sophomore, Holyoke Catholic
Meghan Hurley, junior, Hampshire Regional
Kayla Croteau, junior, Hampshire Regional
Meghan O'Brien, senior, Northampton
Alexa Pascucci, senior, Northampton
Alli Laclair, sophomore, Hopkins Academy
