Softball: Ten Players to Watch for 2021

By HockomockSports.com Staff

Players are listed alphabetically

Hanna Aldrich, Senior – Taunton

Aldrich is coming off back-to-back HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year seasons and has the potential to be one of the top hitters in the league again this spring. The Lehigh University-commit hit 0.451 in 2019 and led the league in homers with eight. She drove in 33 runs for the league champs, stole 11 bases, and also was one of the league’s top defensive shortstops. Aldrich and second baseman McKenzie McAloon give Taunton one of the best up the middle combinations in the state and with Aldrich adding power in the middle of the lineup the Tigers will be looking to claim another league crown.

Nicole Baker, Senior – Stoughton

Stoughton took a lot of momentum from the 2019 season after finishing second in the Davenport and earning a walk-off win in the playoffs. Baker’s emergence as one of the league’s top pitchers will give them confidence that that momentum can carry over after a season off. Baker finished with a record of 13-6 and an ERA of 2.32 in 2019. She struck out 141 batters, which was second-best in the league, and threw 130 innings for the Black Knights. The Simmons University commit also added some punch in the lineup and her ability to control games in the circle will be a key to Stoughton’s challenge of North Attleboro in the Davenport this spring.

Liz Bickett, Senior – Canton

Bickett is coming off a breakout season for the Bulldogs. As a sophomore, the athletic center fielder was second in the league with a 0.545 batting average, hit six home runs, and drove in 21 runs. Bickett was hard to get out and her speed made her a threat on the basepaths as well. She was also one of the top defensive outfielders in the league, capable of covering a ton of ground. With someone who can hit for average and power in the middle of the lineup, and someone who has state championship experience as a volleyball player, Canton has a good foundation to build around this spring.

Gabby Colace, Senior – Franklin

Colace is one of only two players remaining from the 2019 team that nearly snagged the Kelley-Rex title, finishing one game behind Taunton. A strong defensive second baseman, Colace is also a spark plug at the top of the lineup for the Panthers, able to work counts, get on base, and then put pressure on the defense with her speed on the basepaths. The Johnson & Wales University-commit has the eye-hand coordination and reflexes you’d expect from a goaltender and she puts them to good use on the softball field as well. Her experience will be a necessity for Franklin to make another push up the league standings.

Kelly Colleran, Sophomore – North Attleboro

One of several players who had their debut seasons postponed for a year, Colleran is an exciting addition to the North lineup and the Rocketeers will be excited for her to step into the circle and up to the plate this spring. Her sister Meg was a Gatorade Player of the Year at North and her brother Dennis is a DI prospect for the baseball team, so there is a family legacy of strong pitchers that Colleran is continuing. A hard thrower and power bat, who can play multiple positions, Colleran has the potential to step right in and be an impact player from the opening game and could be a key to North retaining the Davenport division title.

Casey Moussette, JuniorMansfield

Mansfield is returning only two players with varsity experience from 2019 and there will be a lot of underclassmen who will get the chance to contribute right away. Moussette was in a similar position two years ago, getting regular playing time as a freshman, and the junior first baseman will provide a little experience and a big bat in the middle of the order. After a strong season at the plate in 2019, Moussette gives the Hornets some extra pop and a good glove at first to help them stay in the league title mix in what should be another ultra-competitive Kelley-Rex division. After scoring 11 runs and recording 16 hits in the season opener, Mansfield’s offense looks like it will be a strength this year, and expect Moussette to be in the middle of it.

Lindsey Perry, Junior – Attleboro

Attleboro made a run to the state tournament in 2019 with a relatively young lineup. Now, the Bombardiers will hope that experience can translate into continued success two years later. Perry is going to be a key player if the Bombardiers can continue their upward trend, as she will step into the circle for the first time as the regular starter. After getting some playing time as a freshman, Perry allowed no earned runs in her first start of the season and also had four hits in the leadoff position. She will be setting the table for the power hitters in the Attleboro lineup and trying to silence the potent lineups that the Bombardiers will face every game in the Kelley-Rex division.

Morgan Sylvestre, Senior – Foxboro

Sylvestre was the on-field leader for the Warriors in 2019, helping them make another trip to the postseason with both her bat and with outstanding defense at shortstop. The Fairfield University-commit led Foxboro in a number of offensive categories, batting 0.400 with 26 hits. She also hit four homers and drove in 26 runs in 2019, while covering a ton of ground at short. Her experience and presence in the lineup will be important for the Warriors as they try to challenge North Attleboro and Stoughton in the Davenport this spring.

Libby Walsh, Sophomore- King Philip

Another of the talented players who didn’t get the chance to showcase their skills as freshmen, Walsh will continue the run of strong defensive shortstops at KP and can also step into the circle if needed. There was a lot of hype about Walsh coming into last year as she prepared to take over at short for Meghan Gorman and, after a year delay, she got that chance and produced with a pair of RBI in the season opener against North Attleboro. The Warriors will be hoping to regain the league title after falling to third in the Kelley-Rex in 2019 and adding Walsh’s power in the middle of the order and solid defense up the middle has raised expectations for the perennial league power.

Kelsey White, Senior – Taunton

White is fully recovered from the knee injury that would’ve kept her out of the 2019 season and could be poised for a big spring. The Villanova University-commit is the reigning league MVP and HockomockSports.com Player of the Year after leading the Tigers to a Kelley-Rex title. White won 18 games as the Tigers starter in 2019, including three shutouts of rival King Philip, and finished with an ERA of just 0.45. She struck out 138 batters in 125 innings, while also being one of the best fielding pitchers and a solid bat for the Taunton lineup. A state champion as a freshman, White will look to cap her Taunton career with one more strong season.