Worcester State Picked to Win 2017 MASCAC Softball Championship

MASCAC Release

WORCESTER, Mass. – Reigning MASCAC Regular Season and Tournament Champions Worcester State have been selected to win the 2017 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Softball Championship as voted on by the eight coaches from around the conference.

The Lancers collected six first place votes for 47 points to top this year's poll. Returning to the team is 2016 MASCAC Softball Player of the Year, 2016 ECAC Division III Player of the Year, National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) DIII All-New England Region First Team honoree and 2017 FPN NCAA Division III Preseason All-American, Sydney Despres (Sterling, Mass.). Last season, she finished the regular season first in batting average (.527), on base percentage (.569), slugging percentage (.992), doubles (20), home runs (13), RBI (49) and total bases (130) while helping the squad to a 12-2 record in the conference.

Also returning to the squad are NFCA Division III New England All-Region and MASCAC All-Conference honorees, Courtney Salisbury (Cranston, R.I.) and Dakota Smith-Porter (Montague, Mass.). Last season, Salisbury tallied 63 hits, 47 runs, 14 doubles, two triples, and 16 RBI while holding a .399 batting average. She ranked second on the team in putouts with 123 at the catcher and outfield positions. Smith-Porter helped the Lancers out on offense, as she batted .421 and collected 45 hits, 26 runs, 13 doubles, three home runs, and 30 RBI. She also helped out in the field as she tallied 80 putouts and 34 assists, while also stepping into the circle to pitch 23 innings and striking out 25 batters.

Also returning to the squad are pitchers Kayla Humphrey (Wallingford, Conn.), Mary McKeown (Shrewsbury, Mass.), and Zoe Haley (Bellingham, Mass.). Locking down the left side of the infield is senior Rachel Couto (Chelmsford, Mass.) at third base, while the outfield returns Corrie Derosier (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and Haley Scola (Worcester, Mass.).

Under the direction of 5^th-year head coach Michelle Cote, the Lancers look to kick off their 2017 campaign in Clermont, Fla. on Sunday, March 19 against Southern Maine at 9 a.m.

2017 MASCAC Softball Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)