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NORTH DIGHTON — For the past few years, Dighton-Rehoboth softball has been used to being among the top teams in the state, but seemed to always fall just short of the ultimate goal.
With consistently powerful lineups and strong pitching, the Falcons made it to the 2021 MIAA Division 2 final but succumbed by just a run to Tyngsborough. Appearances in the Division 3 Final Four and Elite Eight followed in 2022 and 2023, also ending in heartbreak.
Then, last spring, it finally happened.
A juggernaut all year, D-R went into the 2024 MIAA Division 3 tournament as the top seed and came out the top dog, taking down Hudson in walk-off fashion to secure the program's second-ever state title and first since 1990.
For Falcons senior shortstop and co-captain Haleigh Kelley, who scored the winning run on an RBI triple by outfielder and 2024 graduate Lucy Latour, it is a moment forever engrained in her consciousness.
"That moment was so special for many of us who never thought it was going to happen," Kelley said. "We want everyone to experience that same high again."
That's the energy which the defending champion Falcons are carrying into this season. While Latour and several other key players may have graduated, D-R retains a large and talented core of players, including last year's breakout rookie and sophomore pitcher Edy Latour, that are battle-tested and ready to live up to lofty expectations.
"People are looking at us, people are watching us," Falcons coach Katie Catarius-Holmes said. "It's one thing to win one state title (but) it's another to do it again."
Queens of the Diamond: 39 Greater Taunton area softball players to watch this spring
Catarius-Holmes knows that's easier said than done, which is why she's prepared her squad with a tough schedule, including games against three of the defending state champions: back-to-back-to-back-to-back Division 1 champions Taunton, Division 2 champions Walpole and the annual defining South Coast Conference showdown with back-to-back Division 4 champions Case.
But she also knows her girls are up for it. The Falcon infield is filled with college commits, including Kelley (St. Anselm) at shortstop, senior co-captain Emma Horrocks at catcher (Holy Cross), senior Isabella Moss (Rutgers Newark) at third, junior Kylie Smith (Salem State) at first base and junior Cam Cloonan (Villanova) at second.
More importantly for Catarius-Holmes though is developing and maintaining the close-knit culture of the team that has allowed the players to thrive as they learn from and grow with each other.
"We're focused on playing good softball and creating good humans," Catarius-Holmes said. "I believe that creating both good softball players and good humans is something that you need to win a state championship."
As for Kelley, those relationships and friendly competition to improve that comes with are the driving factor.
"It definitely is a great thing to have so many girls who have the same love (for the game), motivation and goals as you," Kelley said. "We all want to get better and play at a higher level and it shows in the passion and the work that everyone is putting in, not only during the season but in the offseason and it just brings a whole new level of fun to the game."
Kelley, who was also a captain in soccer and basketball this year, is forever thankful for the trust her teammates put into her leadership abilities and knows the responsibilities that come with continuing on the Falcon traditions.
"I love wearing the green and gold and representing our school," Kelley said. "People have a lot of respect for D-R in our community and being able to be a leader on and off the field and just show what it means to be dedicated, respected and to have all of that success, it means everything to me."
More: Mark your calendar for these 12 Greater Taunton area softball games this spring
With talent, teamwork and the introduction of some promising new underclassmen, including sophomore utility player Eva Ainsworth, sophomore pitcher Maddie Simmonds and freshman pitcher Courtney Botelho, Kelley feels that as long as they play the Falcon well, 2025 should be a special season for D-R.
"I think we're going to make a lot of big, big motion in the SCC and in the state," Kelley said. "So keep an eye out."
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Dighton-Rehoboth softball hopes strong culture, talent lead to success
Continue reading...
With consistently powerful lineups and strong pitching, the Falcons made it to the 2021 MIAA Division 2 final but succumbed by just a run to Tyngsborough. Appearances in the Division 3 Final Four and Elite Eight followed in 2022 and 2023, also ending in heartbreak.
Then, last spring, it finally happened.
A juggernaut all year, D-R went into the 2024 MIAA Division 3 tournament as the top seed and came out the top dog, taking down Hudson in walk-off fashion to secure the program's second-ever state title and first since 1990.
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For Falcons senior shortstop and co-captain Haleigh Kelley, who scored the winning run on an RBI triple by outfielder and 2024 graduate Lucy Latour, it is a moment forever engrained in her consciousness.
"That moment was so special for many of us who never thought it was going to happen," Kelley said. "We want everyone to experience that same high again."
That's the energy which the defending champion Falcons are carrying into this season. While Latour and several other key players may have graduated, D-R retains a large and talented core of players, including last year's breakout rookie and sophomore pitcher Edy Latour, that are battle-tested and ready to live up to lofty expectations.
"People are looking at us, people are watching us," Falcons coach Katie Catarius-Holmes said. "It's one thing to win one state title (but) it's another to do it again."
Queens of the Diamond: 39 Greater Taunton area softball players to watch this spring
Catarius-Holmes knows that's easier said than done, which is why she's prepared her squad with a tough schedule, including games against three of the defending state champions: back-to-back-to-back-to-back Division 1 champions Taunton, Division 2 champions Walpole and the annual defining South Coast Conference showdown with back-to-back Division 4 champions Case.
But she also knows her girls are up for it. The Falcon infield is filled with college commits, including Kelley (St. Anselm) at shortstop, senior co-captain Emma Horrocks at catcher (Holy Cross), senior Isabella Moss (Rutgers Newark) at third, junior Kylie Smith (Salem State) at first base and junior Cam Cloonan (Villanova) at second.
More importantly for Catarius-Holmes though is developing and maintaining the close-knit culture of the team that has allowed the players to thrive as they learn from and grow with each other.
"We're focused on playing good softball and creating good humans," Catarius-Holmes said. "I believe that creating both good softball players and good humans is something that you need to win a state championship."
You must be registered for see images attach
As for Kelley, those relationships and friendly competition to improve that comes with are the driving factor.
"It definitely is a great thing to have so many girls who have the same love (for the game), motivation and goals as you," Kelley said. "We all want to get better and play at a higher level and it shows in the passion and the work that everyone is putting in, not only during the season but in the offseason and it just brings a whole new level of fun to the game."
Kelley, who was also a captain in soccer and basketball this year, is forever thankful for the trust her teammates put into her leadership abilities and knows the responsibilities that come with continuing on the Falcon traditions.
"I love wearing the green and gold and representing our school," Kelley said. "People have a lot of respect for D-R in our community and being able to be a leader on and off the field and just show what it means to be dedicated, respected and to have all of that success, it means everything to me."
More: Mark your calendar for these 12 Greater Taunton area softball games this spring
With talent, teamwork and the introduction of some promising new underclassmen, including sophomore utility player Eva Ainsworth, sophomore pitcher Maddie Simmonds and freshman pitcher Courtney Botelho, Kelley feels that as long as they play the Falcon well, 2025 should be a special season for D-R.
"I think we're going to make a lot of big, big motion in the SCC and in the state," Kelley said. "So keep an eye out."
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Dighton-Rehoboth softball hopes strong culture, talent lead to success
Continue reading...
