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The sound of the metallic tings of bats and the snapping of gloves can only mean one thing: high school softball is back in the Greater Taunton area.
Last year, the Greater Taunton area was home to not just one, but two state champions. Taunton (25-0, 16-0 Hockomock League) was perfect in its pursuit of a fourth straight Division 1 title, shutting out longtime rivals No. 21 King Philip in the first ever state title showdown between the Hockomock heavyweights. Dighton-Rehoboth (23-3, 11-3 South Coast Conference) rode its high-powered offense and strong pitching all the way to the Division 3 title game, beating No. 3 Hudson in walk-off fashion for the program's first title since 1990.
Bristol-Plymouth (14-6, 10-2 Mayflower Athletic Conference) built on its progress from last season, nearly winning the MAC Large while qualifying for the Division 2 tournament, falling to No. 32 Minnechaug in the Preliminary Round. Bridgewater-Raynham (15-7, 7-1 Southeast Conference), with a roster largely consisting of freshmen, showed their strength by making the Division 1 tournament and reaching the Round of 16 before ultimately falling to No. 4 Lincoln-Sudbury. Bristol Aggie (5-15, 6-6 MAC) showed their strength at the plate, recording 25 or more runs on four different occasions.
With two teams readying their title defenses and the others ready to make strides of their own, here are 12 of the most intriguing Greater Taunton area high school softball games on deck for the spring season.
The spring season kicks off with one of the most highly-anticipated all-Greater Taunton area regular season matchups in years as the back-to-back-to-back-to-back Division 1 defending champions welcome the Division 3 defending champions to the newly-renovated Jack Tripp Field. While the two programs, who've had numerous players share the same dugout in club softball, have scrimmaged each other the past few seasons, this is the first regular season matchup between two of the state's top programs since 2019. The eyes of the state, and perhaps beyond, will be on this one, and it should prove well worth the hype.
Another exciting opening week matchup, the Trojans welcome the Division 1 runner-up Warriors for the first game of a home-and-home series, with B-R traveling to KP for a rematch on April 23. The Trojans also took on the Warriors twice last year, narrowly falling 5-3 in their last showdown. With that in mind, and another year of experience under a young B-R's belt, the Trojans have a chance for an early statement win in this one.
The Falcons are hitting the ground running this spring, facing three of the state's five defending state champions in their first seven games. Just three days after taking on the Tigers, D-R travels to defending Division 4 champion Cardinals for the latest installment of the storied SCC rivalry. While the Swansea-based school performed a season sweep of the Falcons last year, both of those games were decided by just a run. D-R will be more than eager for revenge and a solid win here would be an early-season statement.
The Tigers have become well-accustomed to heading westbound on the Mass Pike in recent years, but this time, the destination is Westfield rather than Amherst. Taunton welcomed the Division 2 runner-ups to Jack Tripp Field last year, and the Bombers and star pitcher Shea Hurley nearly came away with the win save for the bat of Aniyah Bailey. This should be another pitcher's duel, this time with Cate Larson in the circle for the Tigers, and Taunton will be eager to show their strength.
More: Another Greater Taunton area softball star is taking her talents to the Big East
This home-and-home Mayflower Small series was a slugfest last spring, with Aggie outscoring the Rams 40-32, splitting the series on back-to-back days. If you're a fan of big offensive outputs, this should be the game for you, and one which BA should be able to take, as well as their rematch down the Cape on May 9.
After the Bengals dominated this longtime Mayflower Large rivalry for several years, the Craftsmen have flipped the switch by winning their their last three showdowns and are eager to keep the streak going. This is a must win for B-P for a shot at the league title, as it is for Diman, so expect that intensity throughout this matchup and again in the rematch at the Swansea YMCA on May 12.
The first of (at least) two battles between Hockomock powerhouses is also a rematch of the Division 1 championship for the first time, and perhaps a preview of the next one as well. The Tigers took full control of the Hockomock Kelley-Rex last year, sweeping the Warriors to win the league title, and they'll look to continue their dominance over their arch-rivals. This game once again will have strong repercussions on both the league title and power rankings, so expect both clubs to rise to the occasion.
Another intriguing all-Greater Taunton area matchup sees the Trojans play host to the Falcons for a Saturday matinee. The defending Division 3 champions provide B-R with a challenging test while D-R gets the experience of taking on another strong local Division 1 program on the rise in what should be a good measuring stick where each team sits in the second half of the regular season. Then, exactly two weeks later, the Trojans and Falcons will face off again at D-R for a morning showdown to complete the home-and-home series, one which hopefully will continue into the future.
NCAA Softball: Taunton native Sam Lincoln records perfect game against UMass softball
Another major Mayflower Large matchup, the defending league champion Cougars were the only team to perform a season sweep of the Craftsmen last spring, who will be eager to avenge it. Another must win for B-P, wins here and against Diman should prove crucial in their pursuit of the league crown while sending a message that the Craftsmen mean business. They'll have a second go at things in Franklin on May 19, where B-P will look to finish the job.
The now defining Division 3 rivalry of the SCC, the Falcons and Lakers will face off in Lakeville for the second (but perhaps not final) time this spring with both league title and power ranking implications on the line in the closing weeks of the regular season. The two split the series last year, with each winning their respective home games, so a win here in a potential Division 3 title game preview would go a long way for D-R.
The defending Division 1 champions of Massachusetts and Rhode Island are set to face off for the first time in a Saturday matinee at Chestnut Hill. LSA's Iowa-bound pitcher and 2023-24 Gatorade Rhode Island Softball Player of the Year Phoenyx Silva is club teammates with Taunton's Georgetown-bound pitcher Cate Larson, adding even more intrigue to this matchup which should draw regional and even some national attention. As with the home opener with D-R, expect this one to live up to the hype.
The Trojans kick off the final week of the regular season by hosting another SCC Division 3 powerhouse program in the Bears. While B-R performed a season sweep of GNBVT last spring, both games were 5-4 wins, so this should prove to be a great test for Trojans and Bears alike to prepare for the playoffs. This will also be their second matchup of the season, with the two taking on each other in the Whaling City on April 9.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: 12 Greater Taunton area softball games to watch this spring
Continue reading...
Last year, the Greater Taunton area was home to not just one, but two state champions. Taunton (25-0, 16-0 Hockomock League) was perfect in its pursuit of a fourth straight Division 1 title, shutting out longtime rivals No. 21 King Philip in the first ever state title showdown between the Hockomock heavyweights. Dighton-Rehoboth (23-3, 11-3 South Coast Conference) rode its high-powered offense and strong pitching all the way to the Division 3 title game, beating No. 3 Hudson in walk-off fashion for the program's first title since 1990.
Bristol-Plymouth (14-6, 10-2 Mayflower Athletic Conference) built on its progress from last season, nearly winning the MAC Large while qualifying for the Division 2 tournament, falling to No. 32 Minnechaug in the Preliminary Round. Bridgewater-Raynham (15-7, 7-1 Southeast Conference), with a roster largely consisting of freshmen, showed their strength by making the Division 1 tournament and reaching the Round of 16 before ultimately falling to No. 4 Lincoln-Sudbury. Bristol Aggie (5-15, 6-6 MAC) showed their strength at the plate, recording 25 or more runs on four different occasions.
With two teams readying their title defenses and the others ready to make strides of their own, here are 12 of the most intriguing Greater Taunton area high school softball games on deck for the spring season.
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April 4- Taunton vs. Dighton-Rehoboth, 3:45 p.m.
The spring season kicks off with one of the most highly-anticipated all-Greater Taunton area regular season matchups in years as the back-to-back-to-back-to-back Division 1 defending champions welcome the Division 3 defending champions to the newly-renovated Jack Tripp Field. While the two programs, who've had numerous players share the same dugout in club softball, have scrimmaged each other the past few seasons, this is the first regular season matchup between two of the state's top programs since 2019. The eyes of the state, and perhaps beyond, will be on this one, and it should prove well worth the hype.
April 4- Bridgewater-Raynham vs. King Philip, 4 p.m.
Another exciting opening week matchup, the Trojans welcome the Division 1 runner-up Warriors for the first game of a home-and-home series, with B-R traveling to KP for a rematch on April 23. The Trojans also took on the Warriors twice last year, narrowly falling 5-3 in their last showdown. With that in mind, and another year of experience under a young B-R's belt, the Trojans have a chance for an early statement win in this one.
April 7- Dighton-Rehoboth at Case, 4 p.m.
The Falcons are hitting the ground running this spring, facing three of the state's five defending state champions in their first seven games. Just three days after taking on the Tigers, D-R travels to defending Division 4 champion Cardinals for the latest installment of the storied SCC rivalry. While the Swansea-based school performed a season sweep of the Falcons last year, both of those games were decided by just a run. D-R will be more than eager for revenge and a solid win here would be an early-season statement.
April 21- Taunton at Westfield, 1 p.m.
The Tigers have become well-accustomed to heading westbound on the Mass Pike in recent years, but this time, the destination is Westfield rather than Amherst. Taunton welcomed the Division 2 runner-ups to Jack Tripp Field last year, and the Bombers and star pitcher Shea Hurley nearly came away with the win save for the bat of Aniyah Bailey. This should be another pitcher's duel, this time with Cate Larson in the circle for the Tigers, and Taunton will be eager to show their strength.
More: Another Greater Taunton area softball star is taking her talents to the Big East
April 28- Bristol Aggie vs. Upper Cape Tech, 4 p.m.
This home-and-home Mayflower Small series was a slugfest last spring, with Aggie outscoring the Rams 40-32, splitting the series on back-to-back days. If you're a fan of big offensive outputs, this should be the game for you, and one which BA should be able to take, as well as their rematch down the Cape on May 9.
April 30- Bristol-Plymouth vs. Diman, 3:30 p.m.
After the Bengals dominated this longtime Mayflower Large rivalry for several years, the Craftsmen have flipped the switch by winning their their last three showdowns and are eager to keep the streak going. This is a must win for B-P for a shot at the league title, as it is for Diman, so expect that intensity throughout this matchup and again in the rematch at the Swansea YMCA on May 12.
April 30- Taunton vs. King Philip, 6:30 p.m.
The first of (at least) two battles between Hockomock powerhouses is also a rematch of the Division 1 championship for the first time, and perhaps a preview of the next one as well. The Tigers took full control of the Hockomock Kelley-Rex last year, sweeping the Warriors to win the league title, and they'll look to continue their dominance over their arch-rivals. This game once again will have strong repercussions on both the league title and power rankings, so expect both clubs to rise to the occasion.
May 3- Bridgewater-Raynham vs. Dighton-Rehoboth, 1 p.m.
Another intriguing all-Greater Taunton area matchup sees the Trojans play host to the Falcons for a Saturday matinee. The defending Division 3 champions provide B-R with a challenging test while D-R gets the experience of taking on another strong local Division 1 program on the rise in what should be a good measuring stick where each team sits in the second half of the regular season. Then, exactly two weeks later, the Trojans and Falcons will face off again at D-R for a morning showdown to complete the home-and-home series, one which hopefully will continue into the future.
NCAA Softball: Taunton native Sam Lincoln records perfect game against UMass softball
May 7- Bristol-Plymouth vs. Tri-County, 3:30 p.m.
Another major Mayflower Large matchup, the defending league champion Cougars were the only team to perform a season sweep of the Craftsmen last spring, who will be eager to avenge it. Another must win for B-P, wins here and against Diman should prove crucial in their pursuit of the league crown while sending a message that the Craftsmen mean business. They'll have a second go at things in Franklin on May 19, where B-P will look to finish the job.
May 12- Dighton-Rehoboth at Apponequet, 4 p.m.
The now defining Division 3 rivalry of the SCC, the Falcons and Lakers will face off in Lakeville for the second (but perhaps not final) time this spring with both league title and power ranking implications on the line in the closing weeks of the regular season. The two split the series last year, with each winning their respective home games, so a win here in a potential Division 3 title game preview would go a long way for D-R.
May 17- Taunton vs. LaSalle Academy (R.I.), 1 p.m. (at Boston College)
The defending Division 1 champions of Massachusetts and Rhode Island are set to face off for the first time in a Saturday matinee at Chestnut Hill. LSA's Iowa-bound pitcher and 2023-24 Gatorade Rhode Island Softball Player of the Year Phoenyx Silva is club teammates with Taunton's Georgetown-bound pitcher Cate Larson, adding even more intrigue to this matchup which should draw regional and even some national attention. As with the home opener with D-R, expect this one to live up to the hype.
May 20- Bridgewater-Raynham vs. Greater New Bedford, 3:30 p.m.
The Trojans kick off the final week of the regular season by hosting another SCC Division 3 powerhouse program in the Bears. While B-R performed a season sweep of GNBVT last spring, both games were 5-4 wins, so this should prove to be a great test for Trojans and Bears alike to prepare for the playoffs. This will also be their second matchup of the season, with the two taking on each other in the Whaling City on April 9.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: 12 Greater Taunton area softball games to watch this spring
Continue reading...
