Lancers Claim Third in MASCAC Preseason Coaches Poll

Westfield, Mass.— After winning the regular season crown in 2024, Westfield State has been picked by the  conference coaches to repeat as the 2025 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Champions.  

The Owls ended the MASCAC regular season with a 12-2 mark to claim the 2024 title. Returning for the team  is Hannah Wodecki who last season was in the top three of the conference in batting average (.411), slugging  percentage (.740), hits (60), triples (6), home runs (9) and RBI (56). Her efforts earned her a spot on the All Conference squad. 

Coming in second is Framingham State with 41 points and a first place vote. The Rams were 11-3 and ran the  table in the MASCAC Tournament to win the title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Brooke Grassia nabbed a  spot on last year’s All-Conference squad after hitting at a .371 clip with 21 RBI, 33 hits, 18 runs scored with four  doubles and three triples.  

Worcester State is third with 39 points. For the Lancers who were also 11-3 in league play, reigning MASCAC  Player of the Year Emma Lanpher is back after she closed out the season atop the conference in several statistical  categories. She finished with the highest batting average at .434, most hits with 69, runs scored with 44 and  doubles with 20 over her 159 at bats. She also knocked in 37 RBI, four triples, four stolen bases, 11 walks along  with a .610 slugging percentage and .465 on-base percentage. 

Tying for fourth with 27 points is Bridgewater State and Salem State. The Bears had six wins during the 2024  conference campaign. In her first year with the team, Mikayla Ansell hit .369 in 36 games with 31 starts, 38 hits  and 18 RBI, six doubles, 18 runs scored and had a pair of triples, a .466 slugging percentage and a .398 on-base  percentage. She stole six bases in eight attempts. For the Vikings who were 7-7 last season, bring back Samantha  Gaona-Sullivan who registered a .336 batting average, 24 runs scored, 21 RBI, 40 hits and the third most stolen  bases in the MASCAC with 20. 

Fitchburg State lands in sixth with 20 points. The Falcons had five wins in league action in 2024. During last  season, Jessica Mueller batted .387 with 41 hits, 11 doubles, a triple, a home run, 21 RBI, 13 runs scored and a  .538 slugging percentage. 

Rounding out the 2025 poll in seventh and eighth are Mass. Maritime and MCLA with 14 and eight points,  respectively. For the Buccaneers, Ab’c’de Patane batted .482 with a .538 on-base percentage. She compiled 27  hits including six doubles, three triples, and four home runs while driving in 21 runs and scoring 19 to earn All Conference honors. For the Trailblazers, Hailey Peabody grabbed All-Conference accolades after she stole a  league-leading 23 bases while hitting .395 with a .504 slugging percentage and .422 on-base percentage plus nine  double, a triple, home run, 31 runs scored and 19 RBI.  

The MASCAC softball squads begin their 2025 season with play over spring break with conference action starting  the on March 29. 

2025 MASCAC Softball
Preseason Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

1. Westfield State (6) 48 points
2. Framingham State (1) 41 points
3. Worcester State (1) 39 points
4. Bridgewater State 27 points
Salem State 27 points
6. Fitchburg State 20 points
7. Massachusetts Maritime 14 points
8. MCLA 8 points