Holliston Senior Softball 2022 Season Wrap-Up

July 8, 2022 / Ken Sawyers /

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With the 2022 season coming to end last week, I thought I’d put together a year-end wrap up with some awards. Congrats again to Kampersal for winning the ‘A” division and ending the reign of perennial champ, Braggville. The league is always better when we have some parity in the ‘A’.

So, I’ll get right to it with the first-ever ALL-HSS TEAM (as voted on by me and the other coaches- but mainly me):

1B: Alex Kampersal (Kampersal)

The young slugger led the league in HR’s (8)) and shined brightest on the biggest stage going 4-4 w 2 HR and 8 RBI’s while pitching 6 innings of 5-run ball against an explosive offense in the Championship Game. He finished the year hitting .677 and drove in 34 runs. A threat anytime he steps in the box, ‘The Big Hurt’ is just 37 so he’s going to be a problem for HSS pitchers for a very long time.

2B: Tom Kampersal. (Kampersal)

This veteran softballer had another stellar offensive year for his club hitting .614, scoring 33 runs, and driving in 25 while leading Kampy’s stellar defense from his 2B spot. His 4 turned double plays led the league and his leadership skills (despite being in the Dominican for the championship) were vital to the team’s championship run.

SS: Chris King (Johnson North)

This key cog in the Johnson North line-up had a monster year for his young squad hitting .597 with 2 walk-off hits (1 was a grand slam). The uber athletic SS has great range at SS and his speed turns singles into double routinely. King and his teammates are figuring out this slow-pitch game which is bad news for the rest of the league.

3B: Eric Kuharich (Mudville)

This self-appointed leadoff hitter was a key reason for Mudville making the jump to ‘A’ next year. His .654 batting average led his team as did his 45 runs scored. A stable force at 3B, Kuharich had just 4 errors at the ‘hot corner’ and his strong arm helped to minimize opposing speedsters.

OF: Dan Kittridge (Braggville)

The Braggville clean-up hitter for years, Kittredge again produced this year hitting .644 while driving in 35 runs. His defense in LCF was top notch too having robbed many an extra base hit with his keen instincts and great anticipation.

OF: Colin Fields (The Hood)

Relatively new to HSS, Fields has made quite an impression in his first 3 seasons. His .604 batting average led his team this year as did his 9 outfield assists. A rarity in that he can change a game with his bat or his glove while his speed, arm, and age make him an elite outfielder for years to come.

OF: Ben Pratt (Anthony’s)

Pratt led his team in almost every offensive category hitting .622 while driving in 30 runs and scoring 29 from his 3-hole spot in the order. He also shined defensively for his club with his arm as he led the team with 8 outfield assists while his sneaky speed and softball instincts took away hits and extra bases routinely.

OF: Brad Rowe (Kampersal)

Only 36, Rowe figures to be a mainstay on this all=star list. Hitting 3^rd on a championship squad comes with pressure and did Rowe ever deliver as he posted a .671 avg while driving in 33 along with 5 HR’s. His outfield defense is one of the reasons Kampersal posted a ridiculously league low runs against. Coupled with the Big Hurt in the Kampersal lineup, Rowe figures to generate video game stats for years to come.

P: Dave Birmingham (Dalton Rd)

Once he earned the starting nod midway through last season, Birmingham delivered for his squad each Sunday night. His calm, friendly demeanor on the mound puts batters at ease that he then uses to his advantage with a mix of deep/short pitches to keep them guessing. A sub 2.00 ERA along with a .479 average at the plate, ‘Big Sexy’ was a main reason for Dalton Rd’s strong year.

C: Brian McShane (Kampersal)

One of the few dedicated catchers in HSS, ‘Big Game McShane’ defines the term ‘gamer’. His energy-level is unmatched behind the plate as he backs up first on any infield ground ball and has an above average arm too. His offense has continued to improve year over year and posted a career-best .440 this season. His leadoff double in the 5^th inning of the ‘A’ title game started the Kampersal rally and the 9-run, game clinching inning.

OTHER HSS 2022 AWARDS

Defensive Player of the Year:

Dave Robinson -SS (Anthony’s)

Better known as ‘DRob’, the veteran had another remarkable year at SS for Anthony’s. His .998 fielding % this year is tops in league history and he’s no slouch at the plate either as his .553 average can attest. He’s probably robbed every HSS right-handed hitter of a hit at least once in his career. Remarkable range and instinct make him a first ballot HOF’er when the time comes

Rookie(s) of the Year: (A & B)

(A)Tim Swift-3B (Kampersal)

Though barely eligible for ROY (5 gms played) Swift stood out when he did show up. Collecting 13 hits in 5 games to go with 10 RBI while playing remarkable D down at 3B, he should be a force for the foreseeable future

(B)Alex Wolf– OF (KingZ)

Just 35, Wolf was a huge bright spot in an otherwise dreary season for KingZ as he got better each week at the plate and in the field. He was placed in the leadoff spot in week #2 and never came out hitting .487 while scoring half his teams runs.

Swiss Army Knife Award:

Darren Fells – (Braggville)

Fells did it all for his team this year playing every position and still managed to hit close to .800. His remarkable catch in CF versus DYR in wk 7saved that game for Braggville.

Lady Bing Award: (tie)

Paul Murphy and Jason Cooper – (Braggville)

You’d be hard-pressed to find 2 nicer human beings than Murph & Coop. Oh, and they’re both really good at softball.

GM of the Year:

‘Mr. Happy’ has put together a roster that not only won the ‘A’ title, but the core of this group is under 40. Good grief, we all need to step up recruiting efforts if we are to compete with Kampersal in the years ahead.

Offensive Player of the Year: