Experienced Stoughton High Softball Squad Seeks Tournament Berth This Season

The Stoughton High softball team will hang its hat on its experience and strong defense heading into this season. But what the team can do on offense just might determine how far the Black Knights can go, head coach Janet Sullivan said.

Looking to improve upon last year’s 4-16 record, Sullivan said her team could realistically qualify for the state tournament this season, playing in what she considers to be a “wide-open” Davenport Division within the Hockomock League. But the question mark will be the potency of the team’s offense, which Sullivan said is already showing signs of improvement.

Seniors Molly Zuk (catcher), Jess Olans (starting pitcher) and Colleen Flaherty (center field) are the three captains this season, forming a solid core up the middle of the field. 

The team returns its entire infield: junior Bailey Olsen (first base), senior Megan Guerard (second base), junior Nicole Barton (third base), sophomore Megan Flaherty (shortstop) and Zuk at catcher.

Colleen Flaherty joins senior Nicole Beauregard (right field) as returning starters in the outfield. Sophomore Jordan Angelos (left field) is the only player in the lineup who didn’t start last season.

“There is a tremendous amount of experience and leadership on the field,” Sullivan said. “There’s so much you have to get done for opening day…[it’s] so much easier to prepare for the opening game with an experienced roster.”

Olans, a righty, will lead the pitching staff. She is a four-year varsity player with a good variety of pitches, according to Sullivan. Sullivan said Olans and Zuk form a strong combo. At pitcher and catcher. Righties Nicole Hayner and Emily Cramer add pitching depth.

Felicia Baptista will be used as a utility player off the bench. She is versatile and has good speed, according to Sullivan.

“[I’m] very optimistic,” Sullivan said of her outlook for this season. “We’ve had a great two weeks of preparation.”

The softball team hicks of its season Wednesday after school, playing host to Quincy High. Stoughton’s first league game is Thursday, when the Black Knights travel to Foxborough for Davenport Division action.