2018 HockomockSports Softball Awards

Taunton senior catcher Kya Enos has been named the 2018 HockomockSports.com Softball Player of the Year. Enos had an impressive season at the plate and behind it, leading the Tigers to 26 wins and the Div. 1 state championship, ending the program’s 11-year wait for a fifth state title. Enos was also selected as the Hockomock League co-MVP by the coaches.

“Kya can do it all on a softball field,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “She hits for average and for power, runs the bases well, plays strong defense, and most importantly is a leader who inspires her team. She always seems to come through when Taunton needs her and is also the first to cheer on her teammates when they come through.”

Enos had 44 hits this season, batting .469 for the season, and added pop in the middle of the Taunton lineup. She smacked six homers, finishing with 14 for her career, and drove in 48 runs for the league’s top scoring team. The University of Maine-commit also came through in the playoffs, hitting a game-tying homer against Dartmouth in the South quarterfinal and driving in two runs against Wachusett in the state final.

“Kya had an outstanding senior season both offensively and defensively, as well as with her leadership,” said Taunton coach Dave Lewry. “She was the inspirational and spiritual leader, keeping her teammates focused, relaxed, and confident. Kya is one of the most talented athletes to ever play for the Tigers.”

Franklin coach Kate Fallon-Comeau said, “Kya is a fierce competitor, (as an opposing coach I’m secretly looking forward to her graduating). In her five years on the Tigers squad, she has always been the ultimate competitor, whether she was patrolling the outfield or calling pitches behind the dish. At the plate, she is even more dangerous with her long ball capabilities and her aggressive base-running skills.”

Enos is the second Taunton player to be selected for this award, Aimee Kistner in 2016, and second non-pitcher to earn the honor following Milford’s Emily Piergustavo in 2017. Other winners include Milford’s Shannon Smith (2013), North Attleboro’s Meg Colleran (2014), and King Philip’s Kali Magane (2015).

Honorable Mentions: Mckenzie Bergdoll (Attleboro), Hannah Davis (Foxboro), Elise Pereira (King Philip)

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Please note that the HockomockSports.com awards are selected by our staff. They are completely separate from the Hockomock League All-Stars. Players are listed alphabetically by position.

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HockomockSports First Team

Kya Enos – Taunton – Catcher
Taunton senior Kya Enos was the leader of the Div. 1 state champions, providing a strong presence at the plate and behind it, as one of the Tigers’ top offensive threats and as a calming influence on Taunton’s pitching staff. The University of Maine-commit batted .469 on the season, with 44 hits this spring, belted six homers and drove in 48 runs to help the Tigers win 26 games and end an 11-year wait for the program’s fifth state title. Enos was selected as Hockomock co-MVP and this site’s Player of the Year (see above). Taunton coach Dave Lewry said, “She was the inspirational and spiritual leader, keeping her teammates focused, relaxed, and confident. Kya is one of the most talented athletes to ever play for the Tigers.”
 

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Mckenzie Bergdoll – Attleboro – Infield
After being one of the league’s up and coming pitchers for her first two seasons, Attleboro junior Mckenzie Bergdoll emerged this year as one of its best hitters. Bergdoll led the league with a .522 batting average and helped the Bombardiers get back to the state tournament for the second season in a row. She had 36 hits on the season and belted seven homers (tied for the league lead), driving in 25 runs. Attleboro coach Mark Homer said, “Mckenzie has been a rising star since entering our program her freshman year. Since then she has proven to be the top hitter in the most competitive league in the state. She aims high and doesn’t disappoint.”
 

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Jaime Brown – Taunton- Infield
Taunton junior Jaime Brown was an integral part of Taunton’s run to the Div. 1 state championship this spring, setting the table for the heart of the Tigers lineup and also providing big hits with runners on base, such as the bases-clearing triple that broke open the state semifinal against Newton North. Brown, a four-year starter, batted .469 in the leadoff spot this season, finishing with 38 hits and 19 RBI. She also walked 19 times and played an outstanding third base, including the final play against Wachusett to seal the state title. Taunton coach Dave Lewry said of Brown, “She is an excellent base runner with good speed and instincts. Jaime also plays an outstanding defensive third base with great range and a strong accurate arm.”
 

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Meghan Gorman – King Philip – Infield
King Philip junior Meghan Gorman continued her stellar career with the Warriors, as one of the team’s best hitters and one of the state’s top defensive shortstops, helping KP win another league title and advance to the Div. 1 South final. Gorman, a Central Connecticut State-commit, batted .493 this spring with 36 hits, 34 RBI, 33 runs scored, 12 doubles, and 11 stolen bases, which were all team highs. Earlier this season, against Hopkinton, Gorman recorded the 100th hit of her career. KP coach Norm Beauchemin said, “Meg is an intense softball player who always seems to rise to the occasion, whether it be defensively or the big hit.”
 

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Emily Piergustavo – Milford – Infield
Milford senior shortstop Emily Piergustavo, last year’s HockomockSports.com Player of the Year, closed out her outstanding four-year career with another strong spring and another Davenport division title. The University of Connecticut-commit batted .451 and slugged .859 this season, recording 32 hits and scoring 37 runs. Piergustavo hit six home runs, drove in 37, and struck out only four times while being a consistently strong defensive presence. She finished her career with the Hawks with 148 hits. Milford coach Steve DiVitto said, “Emily is an extremely hard worker who puts in the time necessary to be an outstanding player with the bat and glove. She has earned every accolade that has come and will come her way.”
 

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Abby Gallagher – North Attleboro – Outfield
North Attleboro sophomore Abby Gallagher had a breakout second season on varsity, going from a regular bench player for the Rocketeers to the team’s top hitter and an integral part of the lineup. Gallagher batted .500 this season, recording 34 hits and scoring 26 runs. She also drove in 18 runs and showed potential power at the plater with 11 extra base hits and a slugging percentage of .691. Gallagher was selected as a league all-star by the coaches after helping North to 16 wins and second place in the Davenport division and is part of North’s strong returning core for the 2018 season. North Attleboro coach Bill Wallace said of Gallagher, “She went from a contributing freshman to a leader on this year’s team in one season.”
 

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Mackenzie Handrahan – Taunton – Outfield
Taunton senior Mackenzie Handrahan closed out her career with the Tigers by having one of her best seasons, batting cleanup for the Div. 1 state champions. Handrahan gave protection to Kya Enos in the lineup and punished teams that pitched around the Tigers catcher. She led the team with a .494 average, hitting one homer this season and driving in 25 runs while scoring 24 runs herself. She was second on the team with 43 hits and also played a solid left field. Taunton coach Dave Lewry said of Handrahan, “When she squares up a ball up, she hits it as hard as anyone in the game. Defensively she improved by leaps and bounds in reading the ball off the bat, angles to the ball, and strong accurate throws.”
 

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Kate Irwin – Milford – Outfield
Milford senior Kate Irwin is one of the emotional leaders for the Hawks and provides them with a spark at the plate, on the bases, and in center field. Irwin was a key cog to the state championship-winning side in 2017 and continued that again this spring. The St. Anselm College-commit batted .481 this year (.451 for her career) with 39 hits, one homer, and six RBI. She scored 44 runs and was a menace on the base paths with 11 steals. Milford coach Steve DiVitto said, “Kate is lightning-quick, with a tremendous feel for the game. If Kate is on base, it’s a rarity that she doesn’t score, and when a ball is hit in the outfield from left to right center, it is caught. Once a Hawk, always a Hawk, as St. A’s is going to love this kid!”
 

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Hannah Davis – Foxboro – Designated Player
Foxboro senior catcher Hannah Davis closed out her outstanding career with the Warriors. Davis, who has been an all-star for the past three seasons was selected as Hockomock League co-MVP by the coaches. The Quinnipiac University-commit recorded 130 hits in four years on varsity and was one of the league’s top hitters this spring, batting .509. She got even better in the playoffs, going 8-for-9 in the two tournament wins and scored four times in each game. Foxboro coach Mark Maguire said, “Hannah’s the heart and soul of the team, she sets the tempo for us. She comes up with great plays, great throws. She is such a great leader for us and has been for the last four years.”
 

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Bella Erti – North Attleboro – Pitcher
North Attleboro sophomore pitcher Bella Erti has solidified her spot as one of the league’s top pitchers after another strong season in the circle for the Rocketeers and was an honorable mention for Underclassman of the Year for the second straight season (see below). She finished the season with a record of 15-5 and an ERA of 1.58. She recorded six shutouts and a no-hitter this spring, striking out 137 batters and keeping North in just about every game. In addition, Erti was a force at the plate with an average of .357 and three homers. North Attleboro coach Bill Wallace said, “Bella continued her success from her freshman year last year with a dominant sophomore campaign. She continues to grow and improve!”
 

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Elise Pereira – King Philip – Pitcher
King Philip senior Elise Pereira waited for her chance to be the full-time starter and this season she showed what she is capable of, leading KP to another league title and another deep playoff run. She went 16-4 on the season with an ERA of 2.36. The Bentley University-commit struck out 123 batters and walked just 17. She also contributed at the plate, smacking seven homers, including a walk-off against Taunton, and driving in 28 runs. KP coach Norm Beauchemin said, “After the second Newton North game she was determined not to let her team down and became a totally different pitcher staying ahead of the batters, bearing down when runners were on base allowing her defense to contribute. It was like poetry in motion.”
 

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Kelsey White – Taunton – Pitcher
Taunton freshman Kesley White completed a dominant campaign in the circle, helping the Tigers win 26 games this season and bring home the Div. 1 state championship. It was an incredible start to a promising career. White finished the season with a record of 16-2 and a minuscule ERA of 1.18. She struck out 114 batters in 119 innings and walked only nine all season. Her composure also stood out at the plate where she helped her own cause by batting .418 and driving in 24 runs while striking out only seven times in 79 at-bats. “She has great command of all of her pitches, an intense competitive spirit, and a never-rattled composure that belies her young age,” said Taunton coach Dave Lewry of White.
 

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HockomockSports Second Team

Emily Hartman – Milford – Catcher
Milford junior Emily Hartman developed into a solid defensive catcher and a strong batter in her second year on varsity, helping the Hawks make it six straight Davenport division titles. Hartman batted .486 this spring with a .743 slugging percentage. She finished with 36 hits and only struck out three times all season. She also smacked three homers and drove in 29 runs as part of the league’s most prolific offense. Milford coach Steve DiVitto said, “Emily has been an outstanding catcher for us the last 2 seasons. Her bat came alive this year and quietly was a force in the cleanup spot behind two Div. I players, which is hard to do. She plays the game hard and was an emotional leader for our club – big things are in store for her future!”
 

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Hanna Aldrich – Taunton – Infield
Taunton freshman Hanna Aldrich jumped into the starting lineup as an eighth-grader last spring and this year emerged as one of the top shortstops in a league loaded with talent at that position. Aldrich, who was the second straight Tigers player to be named HockomockSports.com Underclassman of the Year (see below), batted .385 on the season and showed developing power with four home runs. She also drove in 30 runs, including three in the state title game against Wachusett, and was a consistently solid fielder who rarely made mistakes. “Hanna is an incredibly-talented softball player who has started every game at short for the Tigers since her eighth-grade season,” said Taunton coach Dave Lewry.
 

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Jess Bonner – King Philip – Infield
King Philip senior third baseman Jess Bonner joined with Meghan Gorman to form one of the most dynamic left sides of the infield in the Hock. Bonner batted .403 on the season and gave KP some added power with seven homers (tied for the team lead) and 22 RBI this spring while scoring 21 runs. She was also a defensive stalwart at the hot corner, making only five errors in 63 chances at third, frequently making the spectacular diving play to prevent a run. She was chosen as an honorable mention for league all-star. KP coach Norm Beauchemin said, “Jess sacrificed her body all season with one diving play after the other and was a true leader as a captain. Jess came up with the big hit when we needed it.”
 

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Maddy Bonvino – Milford – Infield
Milford senior second baseman Maddy Bonvino put together a stellar final season for the Hawks, helping them win a sixth straight Davenport division title and extend their winning streak to more than 40 games from the 2017 season opener. Bonvino batted .507 this spring with 36 hits, but also showed power at the plate, belting five homers and slugging .857. The Stonehill University-commit had 25 RBI and also scored 19 runs. Milford coach Steve DiVitto said, “A coach on the field. Maddy was a vocal leader and is incredibly energetic. Wearing the Milford across her chest was not something she took for granted, and loved to represent her school. Her grit and determination are second to none, and her leadership will be sorely missed!”
 

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Jess Tomaso – Milford – Infield
Milford senior first baseman Jess Tomaso closed out her career as one of the top power hitters in the Hockomock League and her presence in the middle of the lineup was a key to the Hawks bringing homer another league title. The Providence College-commit belted six homers this season and drove in 45 runs, finishing her three-year career with 18 homers and 123 RBI. She batted .481 and slugged .911 while striking out just twice. She also stepped into the circle six times this season. Milford coach Steve DiVitto said, “Jess was a deadly force with the bat, and had the ability to do something special every time she was up at the plate. Her desire and drive to be the best she can be is what makes her such a dangerous player.”
 

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Olivia Capobianco – North Attleboro – Outfield
North Attleboro junior Olivia Capobianco covers plenty of ground in center for the Rocketeers and is also an important bat in the center of the North lineup. Capobianco batted .403 this season with 29 hits, four home runs, 18 RBI, and 22 runs scored. She was also an impact player on the basepaths with 11 stolen bases. That speed also made her one of the top defensive outfielders in the league again this spring and helped North win 16 games and finish in second in the Davenport division. Capobianco was selected as a Hockomock League all-star by the coaches. North Attleboro coach Bill Wallace said, “Olivia’s speed and approach to the game makes things happen both offensively and defensively.”
 

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Sydney Phillips – King Philip – Outfield
King Philip senior center fielder Sydney Phillips added athleticism to the top of the Warriors lineup and in the middle of the KP outfield this spring, helping the program record its 12th league title in 13 seasons and reach the Div. 1 South final. Phillips, who is a two-time Player of the Year in volleyball, batted .370 at the top of the order, finishing with 30 hits and scoring 24 runs this spring. She also was among the team leaders with 10 stolen bases and made 28 putouts in center as one of the league’s top defensive outfielders. KP coach Norm Beauchemin said, “Sydney set the tone for our offense as leadoff batter but her ability to cover so much territory solidified our outfield. Sydney is a fun-loving individual who always kept the team loose.”
 

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Faith Turinese – King Philip – Outfield
King Philip junior Faith Turinese emerged as a force at the plate and as a solid starting pitcher this season, being selected as a league-all-star by the coaches after helping the Warriors continue their dominance in the league and advance to the South final. Turinese batted .405 this year, totaling 32 hits and just two strikeouts on the season. She drove in 25 runs and scored 24 runs herself. Turinese also went 5-0 as a pitcher with an ERA of just 0.61. “Faith was the biggest surprise to the success of our team,” said KP coach Norm Beauchemin.”She’s a great contact hitter, played solid left field though never having played outfield before this year and impressed everyone as our second pitcher.”
 

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Gina Carafa – Stoughton – Designated Player
Stoughton senior Gina Carafa led the Black Knights in just about every offensive category this spring. Carafa, who was voted as the team’s MVP, batted .485 this season with a .727 slugging percentage. She finished the season with 32 hits, including nine doubles, a triple, and a homer. She knocked in 21 runs and scored nine times herself. Carafa also won seven games as a starter and threw 117-of-130 total innings, with an ERA of 3.30. Stoughton coach Deb Parker said, “Gina is a true talent. Her swing is effortless and she has the ability to drive the ball no matter where it is thrown. We knew coming into the season that she would be a major contributor and still, she exceeded our expectations.”
 

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Jaylin Couto – Taunton – Pitcher
Taunton sophomore Jaylin Couto was unbeaten as the Tigers’ second starter during the regular season, finishing a perfect 7-0 in the circle with a 1.34 ERA. She allowed only eight earned runs in 42 innings this spring and struck out 57 batters during that stretch. She had important relief appearances, including strong outings against Milford and in the second meeting against King Philip this season where she pitched 1-2/3 innings at Jack Tripp Field to pick up the save in a 4-3 victory. Couto also had a homer and seven RBI at the plate. Taunton coach Dave Lewry said, “Jaylin is a hard thrower with a number of effective breaking pitches.”
 

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Caroline Hughes – Canton – Pitcher
Canton sophomore Caroline Hughes had a breakout season for the Bulldogs, pitching just about every inning for Canton this season. With Hughes emerging as a strong presence in the circle, the Bulldogs won eight games, twice as many as in the past two seasons combined, and reached the state tournament. Canton coach Jennifer Robillard said, “Caroline has truly matured as a player. You can see in the way she plays that she is feeling more confident and comfortable both in the circle and at the plate. I cannot wait to see what she has to offer us for the next two years.”

 

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Kelley Reichert – Milford – Pitcher
Milford senior Kelley Reichert had to wait her turn to take over as the every day starter for the Hawks and she made the most of it this season, leading Milford to a sixth straight league title. The Bridgewater State University-commit went 17-3 this season, winning her first 17 starts of the year. She had a 2.03 ERA and .223 opponent batting average, striking out 122 batters in 114 innings. She also batted .397 with 31 hits, two homers, and 36 RBI. Milford coach Steve DiVitto said, “Kelley finally had the opportunity to take her team and put them on her back. The circle was hers, and she has worked extremely hard to go out with a bang. She has grown into a well-respected pitcher in our league, and hitter in the middle of our lineup.”
 

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Taunton freshman shortstop Hanna Aldrich has been named the 2018 HockomockSports.com Softball Underclassman of the Year. Aldrich, in her second season as the starter for the Tigers, batted in the middle of the lineup for the Div. 1 state champions and emerged as one of the top shortstops in the league. She is the second straight Taunton player to earn this honor, following Jaime Brown in 2017.

“Hanna had big shoes to fill as an eighth grader and wasn’t fazed by the expectations and then took it to a whole new level this spring,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “She has become one of the top players at her position not only in the league but really in the state.”

Aldrich batted .385, mostly hitting in the fourth or fifth spot in the Taunton lineup. She set new career highs with 35 hits, four home runs, six stolen bases, and 30 RBI. Aldrich, who was an honorable mention for this award as an eighth grader, also came through in the clutch, driving in three runs during the big win over Wachusett that clinched the program’s fifth state title and first since 2007.

“Hanna is an incredibly-talented softball player who has started every game at short for the Tigers since her eighth-grade season,” said Taunton coach Dave Lewry. “Defensively she has great range at short and a powerful arm.” He added, “She hits the ball for average and with power…She hits in the clutch,…Hanna also runs the bases with excellent speed and play-reading instincts.”

This is the second straight time a Taunton softball player has earned Underclassman of the Year honors and just fifth time a Taunton athlete has earned it overall, joining E.J. Dambreville (boys basketball, 2015), Luke Figueira (baseball, 2014) and Noah Leonard (football, 2016).

Honorable Mentions: Bella Erti (North Attleboro), Abby Gallagher (North Attleboro), Morgan Sylvestre (Foxboro), Kelsey White (Taunton)

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Coach of the Year – Jennifer Robillard, Canton

Canton head coach Jennifer Robillard has been named the 2018 HockomockSports.com Softball Coach of the Year. In her second year in charge of the program, Robillard led a young Bulldogs roster to eight wins and a spot in the Div. 2 South tournament.

“Canton has struggled to build momentum recently, but this season the Bulldogs showed a lot of promise with a relatively young group,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “Jenn has done a great job turning things around in a short time, despite missing several key players to injury, and it will be interesting to see how they build on this spring.”

The Bulldogs improved from just one win in 2017 and won eight times in the regular season, qualifying for the postseason through the Sullivan Rule before getting an unlucky draw against perennial power Dighton-Rehoboth. The eight wins this spring is double the win total of the past two seasons combined. This spring, Canton split the season series with fellow D2 playoff team Foxboro and had a one-run win against Attleboro, which also reached the playoffs in D1.

Robillard is the fourth coach from the Davenport to win the award, and third straight, following Milford’s Steve DiVitto who won the award last year. Taunton’s Dave Lewry won the award in 2014 and 2015.

Honorable Mentions: Dave Lewry (Taunton), Mark Homer (Attleboro), Mark Maguire (Foxboro)