Spring Sports Preview Series: Softball Storylines to Watch in 2023

The softball team at Worcester State showed legitimate promise a year ago, cruising to an 11-3 conference record. Almost all of their key pieces returned this season looking to get the job done this year and come away with a championship. As one of three teams tied for first place in the MASCAC preseason poll, 2023 promises to be an exciting season. Here are the storylines to keep an eye on throughout the Lancers 2023 campaign. 

Looking to Jump from #2 to #1 

The way the MASCAC softball tournament is designed, there’s a huge advantage to being the first-seed headed into the postseason. Absolutely no travel can make a big difference, not to mention the traditional advantages to being the home team in softball. Last year the Lancers were just a game back from Bridgewater State, and though WSU won their only home playoff contest, they were unable to replicate the success once they had to travel south to Bridgewater. Eager for their first MASCAC crown since 2016, look for the Lancers to play each and every conference game with the utmost will to win in order to clinch that one seed. 

A Young Team with a High Ceiling 

Freshmen make up almost a third of the roster this season. If you add the sophomores to that count, underclassmen account for over half the team. Matching the young crop with a handful of established senior leaders such as Rachel Sinclair (Westminster, Mass.), Jacque Schwalm (Billerica, Mass.) and Jen Thorburn (Groton, Mass.) will likely bring about as well-rounded a team as you could ask for. 

Returning Award Winners 

Each year the MASCAC gives out four end-of-season awards. In 2022, three of them went to Worcester State. All three honorees return for the 2023 campaign. Reigning Coach of the Year Keri Bianchini will lead the Lancers, bringing an impressive 21-16-1 all-time record in the MASCAC to the table. Junior Emily Bartlett (Lowell, Mass.) will look to build off an insane 2022 in which she nearly eclipsed the 150-strikeout mark and rode a 2.41 ERA to a Pitcher of the Year crown. Finally, last year’s Rookie of the Year Emma Lanpher will look to replicate the statement start to her collegiate career, a season where she hit above .300 and with 18 RBI and 12 extra base hits. 

Deja Vu in South Carolina 

We’ll get insight almost immediately how this year’s squad compares to last season. For spring break, the Lancers will play 10 games in Myrtle Beach. Last year they also played 10 games in Myrtle Beach, going 4-6 on the trip. The comparisons don’t stop with just the number of games, as four of the ten games will be rematches of games played in South Carolina a year ago. The Lancers took down Alberus Mangus last year and will look to replicate that performance in a week. The trio of Keene State College, Franciscan University and Wilson College got the better of WSU in ‘22. How the softball teams fared up against them this time around will provide early insight into the development of the team.

The Lancers are slated to start their season on the road with a doubleheader at Springfield College on March 4th. They’ll play their first game at home on March 28 against cross-town foes Clark University.