The word dynasty gets floated around a little too often in sports.
In the case of Taunton softball, the phrase is more than appropriate.
The Tigers enter the 2025 Division 1 tournament seeking a fifth straight state title and have won 21 straight postseason games dating back to a South sectional semifinal loss to Bishop Feehan in 2019.
As usual, the road to UMass won’t be an easy one for Taunton as there are several worthy contenders. On their side of the bracket, Central Catholic, Attleboro and Bishop Feehan are all dangerous teams. Second-seeded Wachusett won 18 games, while Lincoln-Sudbury and King Philip could be on a collision course to meet in the state quarterfinals.
In Div. 2, Walpole relied on the brilliance of ace Sharlotte Stazinski to the school’s first state softball title. Stazinksi was untouchable in the postseason, posting five straight shutouts, including back-to-back 1-0 specials in the final two games.
Stazinski is hardly the only ace in Div. 2 as Bedford has Alyx Rossi and Westwood can counter with Bridget Mulkeen. Silver Lake could have the best lineup around, while Tewksbury is more than capable.
The South Coast Conference certainly had a say in the postseason last season as Dighton-Rehoboth won the Div. 3 state title and Case did the same in Div. 4.
Dighton-Rehoboth has the offensive firepower to repeat, but could be looking at a quarterfinal contest with either Tantasqua, Gloucester or Hanover. Norton-Pentucket could be a good second-rounder, while Apponequet put together a solid season in the ever-competitive SCC.
Case will look for postseason glory once again and has a pretty favorable draw into the Div. 4 semifinals against top-seeded Hampshire. Uxbridge-Abington is a potential terrific quarterfinal tilt, while Tyngsboro shouldn’t be overlooked.
Turners Falls is the small school version of Taunton, a Div. 5 powerhouse coming off another state title. Of the local schools, Georgetown has the best opportunity to do some damage. A year ago, the Royals knocked off top-seeded Greenfield in the state semifinals and appear to be ready to go on another long run.
Predictions
Div. 1
State champion: Taunton
State runnerup: King Philip
Sleeper: Marshfield
Best first-round matchup: North Andover at Newton North
Possible upset: Acton-Boxboro over Bridgewater-Raynham
Div. 2
State champion: Bedford
State runnerup: Silver Lake
Sleeper: Westwood
Best first-round matchup: Hingham at Middleboro
Possible upset: Norwood over Stoughton
Div. 3
State champion: Dighton-Rehoboth
State runnerup: Apponequet
Sleeper: Seekonk
Best first-round matchup: Latin Academy at Medfield
Possible upset: Seekonk over Danvers
Div. 4
State champion: Case
State runnerup: Abington
Sleeper: East Bridgewater
Best first-round matchup: Southwick at Blue Hills
Possible upset: Cohasset over Gardner
Div. 5
State champion: Turners Falls
State runnerup: Greenfield
Sleeper: Hoosac Valley
Best first-round matchup: Mt. Greylock at Millis
Possible upset: Ware over Wareham
