The Assumption softball team, featuring local players, is heading to the NCAA Tournament after a strong performance in the Northeast-10 Conference championship series. They aim to overcome past challenges and secure a win against Southern New Hampshire.
Key points
Assumption softball team features local players.
The team aims for success in the NCAA Tournament.
They reached the Northeast-10 Conference championship series.
Assumption trailed 4-0 against Southern New Hampshire in the final.
The Assumption softball team has a local flavor heading into the NCAA Tournament, as the Greyhounds are led by local players, from left; Kaitlyn Cahill (Grafton High), Bianca Vincequere (Millbury), Bella Mara (Worcester/St. Paul) and Kya Birtz (Leicester/St. Paul).
The Assumption softball team has a local flavor heading into the NCAA Tournament, as the Greyhounds are led by local players, from left; Kaitlyn Cahill (Grafton High), Bianca Vincequere (Millbury), Bella Mara (Worcester/St. Paul) and Kya Birtz (Leicester/St. Paul).
WORCESTER – Last weekend, the Assumption softball team made its third Northeast-10 Conference championship series appearance in the last four years, and after falling short in 2023 and 2025, the Greyhounds were determined to close out Southern New Hampshire in the final on May 10.
Assumption trailed the Penmen, 4-0, in the bottom of the seventh inning.
“The energy was so high,” senior Kya Birtz of Leicester and St. Paul said after a recent practice at Marois Field. “I had a good feeling we were going to do it.”
The Greyhounds scored six runs, capped by senior Maddy Bland’s three-run homer, and walked off with a 6-4 win to capture the NE-10 tourney title for the first time since 2012.
“We’ve been so close every year,” junior Bianca Vincequere of Millbury said. “To be able to take it this year with this super special group of girls was a surreal moment.”
Assumption (30-25) earned an automatic berth in the NCAA Division 2 Tournament and will face Caldwell (29-19) in a first-round game at 4:30 p.m. May 14 at Franklin Pierce.
Assumption softball coach Stacey Mayer talks with her team during practice on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Q&A
Who are the key players on the Assumption softball team?
The key players include Kaitlyn Cahill, Bianca Vincequere, Bella Mara, and Kya Birtz, all from local high schools.
What was Assumption softball's performance in the Northeast-10 Conference championship?
Assumption made its third championship series appearance in four years but fell short in 2023 and 2025 before aiming for victory in 2023.
When is the NCAA Tournament for Assumption softball scheduled?
The specific date for the NCAA Tournament has not been mentioned, but it follows their recent championship series.
What was the score when Assumption softball faced Southern New Hampshire?
Assumption trailed Southern New Hampshire 4-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning during the final.
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Assumption softball coach Stacey Mayer talks with her team during practice on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Softball is the record-ninth Assumption team to qualify for the NCAAs this year.
Assumption fourth-year coach Stacey Mayer’s sister, Lindsay, is the Caldwell coach. Their dad, Mark, is a Greyhounds assistant. Caldwell beat Assumption, 1-0, during the regular season.
“It’s always a fun time,” Mayer, who guided the Greyhounds to an at-large NCAA bid in 2024, said. “We’re used to it because we played against each other in college, but now coaching against each other definitely means a lot.”
For Mayer, it has been an amazing month.
Her daughter was born on April 17. Mayer was back at practice six days later.
After the Greyhounds beat SNHU in the NE-10 final, Mayer held the trophy in one arm and her daughter in the other. What a way to celebrate Mother’s Day.
“She’s our good luck charm,” Mayer said.
Assumption's Bella Mara, who starred at St. Paul and grew up in Worcester, gets ready to throw a pitch during practice on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Assumption's Bella Mara, who starred at St. Paul and grew up in Worcester, gets ready to throw a pitch during practice on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Birtz and Vincequere are part of a fantastic Central Mass. foursome that has played a major role in Assumption’s success this season.
Senior Kaitlyn Cahill of Grafton and freshman Bella Mara of Worcester and St. Paul rank 2-3 on the team in batting average.
Birtz, who began collegiately at Adelphi but transferred to Assumption her freshman year, stepped into a starting pitcher’s role this season and is second on the team with nine wins (9-3).
“This is a huge year for her,” Mayer said. “She has stepped up to be one of the best pitchers in the conference.”
Birtz ranks fourth in the NE-10 with a 2.27 ERA and she has a career-high 80 strikeouts.
“The previous years where not what I hoped for,” Birtz said. “I put in the extra work. I wanted to be here for my team. They needed me. Luckily, it paid off.”
Assumption's Kya Birtz, who grew up in Leicester and starred at St. Paul, warms up during practice on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Assumption's Kya Birtz, who grew up in Leicester and starred at St. Paul, warms up during practice on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Birtz led Leicester High to the 2018 Central Mass. Division 2 championship before transferring to St. Paul, where she and Mara were one-year teammates.
In addition to batting .357, Cahill, the team’s center fielder, set a program record with 41 stolen bases.
“She has been incredible for us for four years,” Mayer said. “Defensively, she gets it done and on the bases she is a sparkplug for our offense. She is someone everyone looks up to.”
Vincequere made the team as a walk-on her freshman season and has been a valuable and versatile contributor. She played most of this season in the outfield before recently switching to second base.
“She can play anywhere,” Mayer said. “She’s been fantastic.”
Players from the Assumption softball team work out during a practice on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 as the Greyhounds prepare for the NCAA Tournament.
Players from the Assumption softball team work out during a practice on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 as the Greyhounds prepare for the NCAA Tournament.
Mara, St. Paul’s former ace and a two-time T&G Hometeam Player of the Year, hasn’t had many opportunities in the circle this year, but worked her way into the lineup at first base because of her bat.
Mara was one of the top hitters in Central Mass. the last three seasons.
“Coming in, I wanted to work as hard as I can to gain a spot,” said Mara, who is batting .345. “Having a team that’s always behind you, cheering you on, it’s amazing. I miss pitching, but I’m in a position where I would play anywhere and do anything to help the team win.”
Mara had two clutch hits in Assumption’s win over Adelphi in the conference tournament.
“To have a freshman come in and contribute like she has,” Mayer said, “her bat heated up at the right time. She has been huge for our lineup.”
Cahill earned All-NE-10 second-team honors and Birtz third-team accolades. Vincequere was named to the All-NE-10 Defensive Team and Mara to the All-Rookie Team.
“We knew from the beginning of the year we had the team,” Cahill said. “We had our ups and downs, and we had ups and downs my four years here, but we always find a way. We never worried. We lean on each other when times tough and push through.”
‒Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JenTolandTG.