Aces, defenders and consistent hitters: Cape Cod High School Softball All-Stars Team

The Cape Cod and Islands high school softball season concluded with five teams that made the MIAA state tournament.

None recorded a playoff win, but there was much success to be celebrated.

Falmouth and Monomoy shared the C&I Atlantic Division championship.

The Clippers handed the Sharks their only regular season loss with an 8-0 victory. After that, the Sharks won 16 games in a row as they headed into the postseason.

Strugis was crowned the C&I Lighthouse Division champs.

There were no-hitters, a 19-strikeout game (shoutout to Rylin Briggs), walkoff winners, and more.

Presenting the 2024 Cape Cod Times Softball All-Stars team:

First Team

Olivia Meda, Bourne

Olivia Meda played first base in her sophomore season and batted .500. That included 31 hits, nine doubles, three triples and 16 RBIs.

“Olivia came into her own this year and powered us with her bat,” Bourne head coach Glen Gifford said.

Her most memorable moment was when Bourne beat Fairhaven (1-0) in extra innings after losing to them (17-0) earlier in the year. Olivia is a three sport athlete and also plays soccer, basketball, and is on the Student Council.

Paige Meda, Bourne

Paige Meda was the catcher for the Lady Canalmen in her junior campaign. She batted .328, and had 21 hits, four doubles, two triples, one home run and 17 stolen bases.

“Paige was rock solid behind the plate and as the leadoff hitter,” Gifford said. She was fast on the bases and had a very accurate and strong arm throwing out runners.”

Her favorite moment of the season was Senior Day.

“It was a great day and we all played really well and had so much fun together,” Paige Meda said. “The game was packed and it was just good vibes.”

Paige is a three-sport athlete who plays soccer and basketball. She is also a part of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and the Principal's Advisory Council.

Jadyn Morrell, Bourne

The senior pitched 18 games and struck out 11, walked 52, and had an ERA of 4.12. She did her damage for Bourne at the plate with a .360 batting average, 18 hits, three home runs, and 20 RBIs.

“Jadyn was the cornerstone of the team’s pitching to the state tournament all four of her years,” Gifford said.

Macayla Plante, Cape Tech

Plante played in left field in her final high school season. She finished with a .487 average, with 18 runs scored, and a .667 on-base percentage. She also chipped in 14 bases on balls, and was hit by a pitch 10 times.

“Macayla worked hard on her hitting and it really paid off,” Cape Tech head coach Mike Manley said.

Her most memorable moment was meeting new people and making friends that helped each other “learn and grow as a player and person.”

She is on the varsity soccer team and a part of the Technical Honor Society, Skills USA, and volunteers. Plante will be attending Lasell University in Newton with a major in marketing and a minor in entrepreneurship.

Mikaela Venuti, Cape Tech

Venuti played third base in her senior season for the Crusaders.

She ended with a .380 BA, scored 28 runs, and had an on-base percentage of .667. She walked 33 times and was hit by a pitch nine times.

“The leadoff batter who knows how to get on base,” Manley said. “A very smart base runner, and a premier leadoff hitter.”

Her most memorable moment was playing in the game at Martha’s Vineyard.

“The trip there and back was super fun,” Venuti said.

She also plays volleyball, and is the vice president of her class, a Student Ambassador, and a part of the National Technical Honors Society. Venuti will be going to Bridgewater State University for business and marketing.

Savannah Azoff, Dennis-Yarmouth

The junior pitcher struck out 88, 18 over the last three games, and had an 6.19 ERA for the Dolphins.

At the plate she batted .529, with 27 hits, six doubles, two triples, two home runs, and 20 RBIs. Azoff was a Cape and Islands League Atlantic Division All Star.

“Savannah led the team at the plate,” D-Y head coach Mike Bonasia said. “She is a fierce competitor who hates to lose."

Her favorite moment of the season was hitting a home run versus Monomoy. Azoff also plays basketball for D-Y.

Alexa Barboza, Dennis-Yarmouth

Barboza played at shortstop as the only senior for D-Y. She finished the season with a .429 BA, 27 hits, five doubles, three triples, 12 RBIs, and 16 runs scored with 63 at-bats. She was named a Cape and Islands League Atlantic Division All Star.

She finished her high school career with a .417 BA, 78 hits, 17 doubles, five triples, four home runs, 52 RBIs, and 56 runs with 187 plate appearances.

“She played solid defense at SS,” Bonasia said. “As a co-captain she always led by example. She worked diligently in practice and in games.  Her positive attitude was admired by her teammates and coaches. Her impact on the team will be missed.”

Her highlight of the season was the Dolphins’ win on Senior Night. She is part of multiple clubs, National Honor societies, and works when she is not on the field. Barboza will be studying nursing at the University of New Hampshire.

Molly Belfiore, Falmouth

Belfiore played athird base for her junior campaign in which she had a .424 BA, 15 RBIs, and 18 runs scored. She was named a Cape and Islands League Atlantic Division All Star. In two seasons so far, she has a career average of .427, with 27 runs, and 19 RBIs.

“Molly is one of those quiet players who just goes out each day and does her job,” Falmouth head coach Amy Bruce said. “She was a fantastic third baseman with a quick reaction time and a great arm. She started slow hitting this season, but came on strong later to be one of our top hitters.”

Her most memorable moment of the season was when she hit a walk-off home run. Belfiore also plays soccer. Although she is not a senior yet, she wants to go to school on a pre-dental track to eventually become an orthodontist.

Rylin Briggs, Falmouth

Briggs made an impact for the Clippers as a freshman pitcher. She threw 107 innings, struck out 197 and carried a 3.1 ERA. She was just as effective at the plate with a .576 average (team-high), 29 RBIs, two home runs, and 27 runs scored. She was selected as a Cape and Islands League Atlantic Division All Star.

“Rylin was a dominant pitcher this year,” Bruce said. “She came in as a freshman with the pressure of being our number one pitcher and handled it well, exceeding expectations. I have not had a young player who came in and dominated both offensively and defensively like she has.

Her most memorable moments of the season was throwing a no-hitter against Monomoy and throwing 19 strikeouts versus Sturgis. Briggs is a three-sport athlete who also plays ice hockey and field hockey for Falmouth.

Christina Femino, Falmouth

Femino played at second base in her junior season and finished with a .394 BA, nine RBIs, and 26 runs scored. She was named a Cape and Islands League Atlantic Division All Star. In her two seasons with the Clippers, she has a .362 BA, 45 runs, and 20 RBIs for her career.

“Christina was a great leader for our infield this year, and was able to step in and play other positions when needed,” Bruce said. “She was a strong, consistent hitter and very smart base runner. She has terrific range on the right side of the field, and made many plays that would otherwise be hits.”

Kaylee Shaw, Falmouth

Shaw played at shortstop for the Clippers in her junior season, which led to a .460 BA, 14 RBIs, and 32 runs scored. She was a Cape and Islands League Atlantic Division All Star.

In three seasons with Falmouth, she batted .439, scored 78 runs, and tallied 48 RBIs.

“Kaylee was a force offensively and defensively,” Bruce said. “She scored the most runs for our team as the leadoff hitter. Her range and field awareness at shortstop was a great asset for our team this year.”

Kelly Pacheco, Martha’s Vineyard

Pacheco played behind the plate as the catcher in her freshman season as the captain for the Vineyarders. She finished with a .691 BA, one home run, three attempted steal picks, and several stolen bases. She was named a Cape and Islands League Lighthouse Division All Star.

“Kelly epitomizes leadership and maintains a positive attitude on and off the field,” Martha’s Vineyard head coach Tiffany McCarty said. “Kelly also works with younger players, developing their softball skills, and dedicating her time on the weekend.”

Michelle Gonsalves, Mashpee

The sophomore captain played catcher for the Falcons, leading the team with a batting average of .407 which included two home runs.

“A natural athlete who works hard and has a true love for the game,” Mashpee head coach Patricia Morano said.

AJ Gates, Monomoy

The senior catcher ended her last high school season as the Cape and Islands League Atlantic Division MVP for the second straight season. Gates had a .327 BA to go along with 15 RBIs.

“AJ is the backbone of Monomoy softball,” Monomoy head coach Stacy Yarnall said. “Her positive impact on this team has made her an unbelievable leader and team player.”

Kate Huse, Monomoy

In her second season on varsity, the freshman played left field, with a .414 average to go along with 19 RBIs for the Sharks. Huse was a Cape and Islands League Atlantic Division All-Star.

“Kate's solid defense in left field has helped the team to many victories this season,” Yarnall said. “As a leadoff hitter, she was aggressive and eager to get on base.”

Kiley Mawn, Monomoy

Mawn, who started at shortstop for the second straight season in her sophomore year, and was the top hitter on the team with a .571 BA and 24 RBIs. She was a Cape and Islands League Atlantic Division All-Star.

“Kiley is not afraid to dive after a ball,” Yarnall said. “Her solid defense definitely made her stand out in the C&I League.”

Seren Crister, Nantucket

Crister was selected as the Cape and Islands League Lighthouse Division MVP for the Whalers.

Cassidy Conway, St. John Paul II

As just an eighth grader, Conway played shortstop and on the mound.

She ended with a .488 BA, with four doubles, and 20 runs scored, which earned her being named a Cape and Islands League Lighthouse Division All-Star.

“Cassidy showed tremendous growth this season as our leadoff hitter,” JPII head coach Damon Burchill said. “She worked very hard on her shortstop defense and will be a player to watch over the next four years.”

Sophia Pierangeli, St. John Paul II

In her last high school season as a catcher, Pierangeli finished with a .679 BA, eight doubles, three triples, three home runs, and 34 runs scored. She was named a Cape and Islands League Lighthouse Division All-Star.

“Sophia has been the best offensive player for our squad for the last three years,” JPII head coach Damon Burchill said. “She anchored our lineup and was a great leader on the field for a very young team.”

Celia Trombly, St. John Paul II

Trombly was a pitcher and played at third base for her junior campaign. She finished with a. 429 BA, five doubles, one triple, one home run and 27 runs scored. These stats had her selected as a Cape and Islands League Lighthouse Division All-Star.

“Celia had a breakout season proving to be a solid cleanup hitter and providing some much needed stability on the mound,” Burchill said. “We are anxious to see what she does as a senior.”

Her favorite moments of the season were the boat rides to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

Mia Consalvi, Sandwich

The sophomore shortstop had a .376 BA, 15 RBIs, and 20 walks.

“Mia led the Lady Knights in all categories and played every inning of every  game,” Sandwich head coach Dana Battista said. “I have coached softball for 20 years and she is one of the best I have coached”

Jaelynn Harraden, Upper Cape

Harraden played at center field in her junior season and Upper Cape head coach Robert Genereau called her the “Defensive Player of the Year” for the Rams.

“I refer to Jaelynn as "where innings go to die," Robert Genereau said. “Every time a ball is hit to centerfield, I say, 'Oh, they shouldn't have hit it there.’ Jaelynn led the outfield in putouts.”

Her highlight of the season was the Rams making it to the playoffs. Harraden also plays soccer and will eventually go to college for Criminology.

Taysia Lopes, Upper Cape

The junior pitcher had 122 strikeouts on the mound and added two home runs at the plate. Lopes has 377 career strikeouts and is 123 away from the 500K milestone.

“Taysia is the team captain and a fierce competitor,” Genereau said. “She was injured during the season, but she only missed one game due to inclement weather pushing games back. However, her absence from that one game was noticeable. She toughed it out the rest of the season with a nagging injury, yet she continued to dominate on the mound and led by example.”

The most memorable moment of her season was saying goodbye to the seniors who she really connected with this season.

Second Team

Jazlyn Coyer, Barnstable

Coyer, who played shortstop in her sophomore season, was named a Cape and Islands League Atlantic Division All-Star.

“Jazzy played amazing defense this year at shortstop,” Barnstable head coach Julia Ryan said. “She was also a dependable power hitter for the team.”

Sara Ormston, Barnstable

The junior played first base for the Red Hawks.

“Sara was our most consistent hitter and was the key to our offense,” Ryan said. “She was calm and collected at first base as well.”

Sydney Ard, Nantucket

The senior was named a Cape and Islands League Lighthouse Division All-Star.

Yahely Del Rosario Gomez, Nantucket

Gomez was selected as a Cape and Islands League Lighthouse Division All-Star in her senior campaign.

Madison Silva, Nantucket

Silva was named a Cape and Islands League Lighthouse Division All-Star in her senior season.

Naomi Francis, Nauset

Francis was the lone Warriors player that was selected as a Cape and Islands League Atlantic Division All-Star.

Julianna Gygent, Sturgis

The sophomore earned a spot on the Cape and Islands League Lighthouse Division All-Star list.

Sam Orcutt, Sturgis

Orcutt was selected as a Cape and Islands League Lighthouse Division All-Star in junior campaign for Sturgis.

Molly Reino, Sturgis

Reino was named a Cape and Islands League Lighthouse Division All-Star in her junior season.

Elsa Wiesner, Sturgis

Sophomore Wiesner was one of four Sturgis players named as a Cape and Islands League Lighthouse Division All-Star.

Lucy Pesta, Upper Cape

The junior played at third base for the Rams.

“Lucy is the vocal leader on the field,” Genereau said. “She calls out all the cutoffs and plays. She anchored the infield defense with the most putouts. Both she and Jaelynn (Harraden) led the team in stolen bases.”

Contact Courtney Jacobs at cjacobs@capecodonline.com . Follow him on X/Twitter: @CJ_Journalist.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Aces, defenders and consistent hitters: Cape Cod High School Softball All-Stars Team