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.

Bedford starting pitcher Alyx Rossi is congratulated by Mia Vitti after she pitched during the 10th inning of a softball game against Abington in April. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

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