Milford Daily News: Milford High Alum, Bridgewater State Softball Standout Kelley Reichert Ready For More

By Liam Gambon, Milford Daily News

MILFORD, Mass. -- This past spring was a revenge tour of sorts for Kelley Reichert.

In 2019, Reichert was the Bridgewater State University softball team’s freshman ace. In the circle, she went 8-8 with a 2.64 ERA and 13 complete games as she was named the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Rookie of the Year and an All-MASCAC First-Team selection.

Then in the final game of the season, Reichert had to watch as Framingham State University claimed its third straight MASCAC title with an 8-0 win over the Bears.

“I put my heart and soul into that game, so losing the championship my freshman year hurt bad,” Reichert said. “But it made me stronger and even more determined.”

When the time for redemption came the following season, the COVID-19 pandemic caused all spring sports to be canceled after the standout pitcher had already tossed six complete games in as many starts. And while most players went on to graduate, the Rams still returned four members of their 2019 championship team.

But this year, it was Reichert’s time.

On May 15, the ace got a shot at revenge in a MASCAC Championship rematch against top-seeded FSU. In the best-of-three series, Reichert went 2-1 with 16 strikeouts and a 2.14 ERA as she won the Bears their first MASCAC title in seven years with a 10-5 victory in the clinching game.

Afterwards, she was given the MASCAC Championship Series Most Valuable Player award.

“Watching Kel perform is always fun,” said BSU coach Lindsey Couturier, who was named MASCAC Coach of the Year. “But watching her perform at such a high level under as much pressure as the MASCAC Championship was so awesome.”

Reichert had waited for this moment for two years.

“Finally getting to face the Rams in the championship took me back to freshman year,” she said. “We have always competed with Framingham and it’s always been a battle. This time we won and broke their streak.”

After going 14-7 with 11 complete games, 97 strikeouts and a 2.40 ERA while leading the Bears to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014, Reichert was also named MASCAC Pitcher of the Year. Having led the league in wins and strikeouts, as well as tying for most complete games, the former Milford star was named to the MASCAC First Team again.

Reichert’s revenge tour took place in the pitcher’s circle, but she didn’t start out there 10 years ago. When she first picked up softball, she was a catcher, but soon made the transition. It wasn’t smooth, however, as Reichert spent years at the back of the bullpen.

“I got tired of that, so I worked even harder. It hasn’t been easy, but I have fallen in love with pitching,” Reichert said. “Some may think it’s easy, but it isn’t. I look at it like an art and there is no better feeling in the world than being in that circle.”

Then as a senior at Milford High in 2018, the Hockomock League All-Star was finally named her team’s top pitcher and led the Scarlet Hawks to their sixth straight league title as she went 17-3 with a 2.03 ERA and 122 strikeouts.

"Kelley is a true gamer, and I am not shocked with all the success she is having at the next level," said Steve DiVitto, who coached Reichert at Milford High. "She is a hard worker who never settles, and all of the time she puts in is showing."

Reichert won 17 straight games to start her final season and even batted .397 at the plate.

“We are always very confident with Kelley on the mound,” Couturier said.

And now with her revenge tour taken care of in Bridgewater, the Bears ace is still hungry for more as she enters her senior year.

“I don’t let things sink in all the time because I like to look ahead at what’s next, but this is something I will definitely always look back on and be proud of myself,” Reichert said. “Winning back-to-back would unbelievable and the Bears are ready to do it.”