Westfield State Earns Top Seed in 2026 MASCAC Softball Tournament
For the third straight season, Westfield State is the top seed in the upcoming MASCAC Softball Tournament after claiming the regular season crown.
For the third straight season, Westfield State is the top seed in the upcoming MASCAC Softball Tournament after claiming the regular season crown.
The first round games get the tournament started on Tuesday, May 5 with #3 Salem State hosting #6 MCLA at 5 pm and #4 Framingham State facing #5 Bridgewater State at 4 pm. The two first round winners will then head to the double elimination part of the tournament with the lowest remaining seed playing top seed Westfield State at 3:30 pm on Thursday, May 7 while #2 Worcester State will host the other remaining seed.
The rest of the tournament is hosted by Westfield State and continues Friday, May 8 with the semifinals and Saturday, May 9 with the championship that determines the MASCAC Champion and automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament.
Earning their third straight MASCAC Regular Season title, the Owls closed out the regular season at 15-1 with a staggering 35-1 overall mark. In the circle, Angelina Vartuli was a force for the champs, going 12-0 with a 1.02 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 62 strikeouts, 11 earned runs, three saves, eight complete games and a shutout.
Getting the other bye into the double elimination round is Worcester State with the two seed. The Lancers were 13-3 in MASCAC action and look to Bella Gasbarro who batted .389 with a .611 slugging percent and .462 on-base percentage while knocking in 33 RBI, 44 total hits, 10 doubles, five home runs, 27 runs scored and 15 walks.
Salem State gets first round hosting duties after landing in the third seed. The Vikings were 12-4 to end conference play. Alanis Toledano was a dual threat for the team at first base and in the circle. She batted .485 with 48 hits, 10 doubles, a triple, 24 RBI and a. 563 on-base percentage. In the circle, she had five wins, three saves, three complete games, a shutout, 32 strikeouts and a 1.91 WHIP.
Securing the other first round host spot is Framingham State with the fourth seed. The Rams were 10-6 in the league. Heading into this week's tournament, Eliza Carignan is hitting at a .391 clip with 12 doubles, five home runs, 29 RBI, 29 runs scored, 16 walks and a .937 fielding percentage on the season.
Rounding out the 2026 tournament field is Bridgewater State and MCLA in fifth and sixth, respectively. Leading the way for the Bears is Angelina Lynch who batted .365 with 42 hits, including nine doubles, six triples and three home runs along with 19 RBI, 40 runs, 20 stolen bases and 15 walks. For the Trailblazers, Hailey Peabody hit .433 with a .654 slugging percentage, 31 hits, 10 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 15 RBI, 31 runs, 16 stolen bases and eight walks.
During the 2025 MASCAC Tournament, #3 Worcester State defeated #2 Framingham State, 5-3, to claim their first title in nine years and clinch a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
