All-around effort powers top-seeded Hampshire Regional to 6-0 win over Pittsfield in Class B final (PHOTOS)

By HANNAH BEVIS

Staff Writer

Published: 05-31-2023 8:16 PM

WESTFIELD – The culture of success has been ingrained into Hampshire’s softball program for decades. Every year, it’s well-known that the Raiders are going to be one of the teams to beat in Massachusetts. 

But whispers of doubt swept around the team this year after graduating six seniors in 2022, many of them cornerstone pieces of the squad – could they recover after losing that many important players? Sure, they’ll still be good, maybe even great.

But could they still be winners? 

The top-seeded Raiders quieted any and all doubts on Wednesday afternoon, shutting down No. 2 Pittsfield 6-0 in the Western Mass. Class B final at Westfield State University. It was the 12th sectional title in program history and a third consecutive Western Mass. crown.

Pitcher Joss Mettey earned the Gary Stacey MVP Award for throwing all seven innings, striking out three and collecting three hits and three RBIs.

“I think a lot of people had written us off last year when we lost six stellar players on the team. It felt like well, you’re losing them, it's gonna be tough for you to rebound. But these guys, since day one of practice, bought into the system and really picked up the pace,” Hampshire head coach Brian McGan said. “I can't be more proud of them.”

The Raiders really shined defensively. Pittsfield was able to put the ball in play against Mettey, but had just six hits over seven innings because of the Raiders’ impenetrable defense. The infield in particular was airtight, led by third basemen Hailey Wodecki, who had one of the game’s highlights when she scooped up a ball and made a throw to first while still on her knees to get an early out.

“We didn't play clean against them the last two times, so it was good to clean up for this time, which was the important one,” Mettey said. 

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Besides the defense, the Raiders got their bats going early and often against Pittsfield starter Mia Dejesus. After leaving two Pittsfield runners stranded in the top of the first, Ashley Cortis walked to lead off and Mettey drove her in for her first RBI of the day. With two outs, the middle of Hampshire’s lineup got to work, with Teagan Charles, Ryanne and Reagan Dubay all getting hits and Emma Czarniecki taking a full count walk to give the Raiders their early 4-0 lead. By the end of the first, everyone in Hampshire’s lineup had taken an at-bat.

“In the beginning, it's nice to get those four [runs] to give you a little cushion, a little comfort, a little sigh of relief,” McGan said. “At this point, it doesn’t matter how you do it as long as you do it.” 

Hampshire had chances to score in the second and third innings, stranding runners in both frames, but couldn’t bring anyone home until the fourth. Once again, it was Cortis leading things off, drilling a hit on the first pitch she saw for a single. Wodecki singled immediately after Cortis, and that was enough for Pittsfield, which pulled Dejesus for reliever Amanda Pou. Hampshire didn’t let the pitching change phase it – Mettey doubled to drive both Wodecki and Cortis home to give the Raiders a more comfortable cushion, and shut down Pittsfield the rest of the way in the circle. 

The win was cause for celebration, but the Raiders know their season isn’t over yet. They still have the MIAA Division 4 state tournament, and they’re seeded No. 2 in the bracket. They’ll play the winner of No. 31 Wareham and No. 34 Brighton in the Round of 32.

“I think this definitely gave us more confidence in ourselves and just showed really what our team can do,” Wodecki said.

Her coach agreed. Hampshire is looking for another championship this season, and they know it’s within arm’s reach if they stay focused like they were against Pittsfield on Wednesday. 

“I told these guys the best part is we have one more season left and it starts tomorrow at practice. It's a grind and they know it... but the approach we're going to take is the same as we have in the past and since I've been here – you go for the top,” McGan said. “You work as hard as you possibly can, you compete and try to get the big ‘W’ at the end.”

Hannah Bevis can be reached at hbevis@gazettenet.com. Follow her on Twitter @Hannah_Bevis1.

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