Softball Sweeps Northern Essex to Capture Region 21 Title

BROCKTON, Mass. ---- The Massasoit softball team swept a doubleheader vs Northern Essex, 8-0 and 8-7, to earn the NJCAA Region 21 Division III Championship on Saturday at Cardinal Spellman High School.

It marks Massasoit's sixth Region 21 Softball Championship in school history, first as an NJCAA Division III program and the 47^th regional title overall in the history of Massasoit Athletics. The Warriors last softball title came in 2013.

Massasoit earned the regional crown by sweeping the four-game regular season series against the Knights.

The 2018 season has been quite the turnaround for the Warriors, with head coach Jordan McDermott emphasizing team unity as a major factor. 

"I think the chemistry with the team this year has been different than it has been in the past," McDermott said. "Obviously we have some talent, which helps, and it took us a couple of games for the team to realize they can compete with anyone. The hard work at practice and in the games has paid off. The team also realizing it is ok to make a mistake, just think next play, next at bat, and get it done. We got it done today."

Game 1: Massasoit 8, Northern Essex 0
Mallory Fey fired a complete game one-hit shutout as the Warriors blanked NECC 8-0.

Fey pitched the best game of her career with the Warriors, as the sophomore faced the minimum in her six innings in the circle. The Plymouth native's only base runner allowed was a single with two outs in the fifth, but the NECC player was retired trying to stretch a hit to a double.

Fey fanned a career-high eight and did not walk a batter, setting the Knights down in order for all six frames.

Offensively, Courtney Foley, Neive Doyle and Karen Snow all finished with three hits as Massasoit finished with 12 for the game.

Massasoit broke the game open in the fourth inning. Leading 3-0, the Warriors plated four runs in the fourth, including a two-run blast by Jazmyn Conrad to open the flood gates. The offensive support was all that Fey would need in leading the Warriors to the victory.

Game 2: Massasoit 8, Northern Essex 7
Game two got a little dicey for the Warriors, as the visiting Knights scored six times in the top of the seventh, but the Warriors escaped with an 8-7 win.

Foley continued to swing a hot bat, ripping three more hits, including a triple.

Massasoit built up an 8-1 advantage through four innings, which featured a three-run homer by Fey in the fourth.

Fey picked up her second win of the day, fanning eight more batters over seven innings.

"It was a little bit of a nail biter," McDermott said. "I guess we wanted to keep everyone on their toes. It's always nice to bring the brooms out on a beautiful day like today."

Massasoit (5-5) hosts NHTI at Cardinal Spellman high school on Sunday.

In addition, following the conclusion of the regular season next week,  Massasoit will await it's opponent in the four-team district tournament, which will be the Region 20 Champion, set to be decided next weekend.