WMass Softball Top 20: Hoosac Valley, Lenox, Central among the unbeaten few

Previous Rankings: Mar. 27, Apr. 3, Apr. 10, Apr. 17

1. Hampshire (8-0; Last Rank: 1)
2. Westfield (5-2; 3)
3. Turners Falls (7-3; 4)
4. Greenfield (7-2; 5)
5. Frontier (6-4; 2)
6. Hoosac Valley (7-0; 11)
7. Lenox (7-0; 10)
8. East Longmeadow (7-2; 6)
9. Longmeadow (6-3; 7)
10. Agawam (4-3; 9)
11. South Hadley (4-4; 8)
12. Hopkins Academy (8-3; 14)
13. Franklin Tech (6-3; 12)
14. Wahconah (5-4; 13)
15. Monument Mountain (6-2; 15)
16. Minnechaug (3-4; 19)
17. Taconic (3-5; 18)
18. Mount Greylock (2-6; 17)
19. Lee (2-5; 16)
20. Springfield Central (10-0; NR)

Just four undefeated teams remain in Western Mass., illustrating the competitiveness between the top teams. It also signals the importance of attacking each game with the same ferocity, regardless of the opponent.

Hampshire continues to prove itself as the top team in the region, knocking off Pittsfield, Div. IV’s Douglas from Central Mass. and East Longmeadow. The Raiders scored over 11 runs in each game and have already racked up over 90 hits as a team.

In a similar vein, Hoosac Valley has maintained its scorching-hot tear through the early days of the season. The Hurricanes have scored an outlandish 127 runs in just seven games, averaging over 18 runs a game. They picked up wins over McCann Tech and Ludlow by a combined score of 26-1 and show zero signs of slowing down.

While the Millionaires’ offense has not produced the gaudy numbers of the Hurricanes, Lenox can be equally proud of its undefeated start. Lenox beat McCann Tech, Pittsfield and Lee this past week, securing the program’s first win against the Generals.

On the opposite end, Minnechaug has had a slow start out of the gates, winning just one of its first five games. But the Eagles earned two wins over Monson and South Hadley earlier this week, pointing them in the right direction forward as they look to rise with more than half the season still to play.

Key Games to Watch

Thursday, Apr. 24

• No. 9 Longmeadow @ No. 16 Minnechaug, 4 p.m.
• No. 10 Agawam @ No. 8 East Longmeadow, 4:30 p.m.

Friday, Apr. 25

• No. 11 South Hadley @ No. 16 Minnechaug, 1 p.m.
• No. 14 Wahconah @ No. 17 Taconic, 4 p.m.
• No. 5 Frontier @ No. 18 Mount Greylock, 4:15 p.m.
• No. 3 Turners Falls @ No. 4 Greenfield, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Apr. 26

• No. 2 Westfield @ No. 1 Hampshire, 3 p.m.
• No. 18 Mount Greylock @ No. 6 Hoosac Valley, 4 p.m.

Monday, Apr. 27

• No. 8 East Longmeadow @ No. 2 Westfield, 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Apr. 28

• No. 15 Monument Mountain @ No. 7 Lenox, 4 p.m.
• No. 5 Frontier @ No. 17 Taconic, 4 p.m.
• No. 3 Turners Falls @ No. 18 Mount Greylock, 4 p.m.
• No. 4 Greenfield @ No. 14 Wahconah, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Apr. 29

• No. 16 Minnechaug @ No. 2 Westfield, 4:30 p.m.
• No. 10 Agawam @ No. 1 Hampshire, 4:30 p.m.
• No. 9 Longmeadow @ No. 8 East Longmeadow, 4:30 p.m.

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