Top 100 Long Island softball players for 2017

Ariana Arato, Commack, OF, Jr.
With terrific speed and defensive ability, Arato poses a threat in centerfield and whenever she gets on the bases.

Samantha Arcese, Mepham, C, Sr.
Even more impressive than her offensive numbers is the fact that Arcese slows down opponents trying to steal bases, according to coach Jennifer Greco. Arcese hit .326 with 13 RBIs last season.

Amanda Arena, West Islip, 1B, Sr.
Arena is one of the top power hitters in Suffolk for West Islip. The Lions won 16 games last season.

Hannah Arkin, New Hyde Park, CF, Sr.
The returning All-County standout and Wheaton College (Mass.) commit batted .583 with a .608 on-base percentage last season.

Gianna Azzato, East Meadow, SS, Sr.
A complete package player, according to coach Stew Fritz, who delivers clutch hits, can hit for power and steal bases. Batted . 411 with five homers, 28 RBIs, 27 runs scored and a .470 on-base percentage.

Janae Barracato, Sacred Heart, 3B, Sr.
Returning 2016 Newsday All-Long Island first-team player batted .479 with a .589 on-base percentage and a .958 slugging percentage. In 32 games, Barracato had 26 extra-base hits, including six home runs, with 45 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. The Seton Hall commit only struck out three times in 96 at-bats and made just four errors in the infield.

Safire Blissett, Glen Cove, C, Sr.
Batted leadoff and hit .426 last season. Will be moved to either the No. 3 or 4 hole this year. Has great speed on the basepaths, and has quick, accurate throws from her catcher position, coach Angela Zuppa said.

Kiersten Bloom, Bethpage, CF. Sr.
The NYIT commit had 35 hits, a .410 batting average and .465 slugging percentage with 14 stolen bases last season.

Christie Bott, St. John the Baptist, C/1B, Sr.
The senior captain and three-year standout hit .407 with 22 RBIs last season. Will be expected to lead a young, but promising Cougars team.

Marissa Braito, Sacred Heart, SS, Jr.
The 2016 Newsday All-Long Island second-team player hit .554 with a .613 on-base percentage, 28 runs scored, 21 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 20 games. Pairs with Janae Barracato to form one of the best SS-3B combinations on Long Island.

Ashley Budrewicz, MacArthur, C, Jr.
One of the top defensive catchers, coach Bobby Fehrenbach said. Batted .263 with 22 runs scored and 19 RBIs in 2016. Catches her twin sister, Jess.

Jess Budrewicz, MacArthur, P, Jr.
One of the most dominant pitchers on the Island. Tied for the most wins on Long Island (21) last season, and went 21-5 overall with a 2.12 ERA, 267 strikeouts and 39 walks.

Cait Burgbacher, Patchogue-Medford, SS, Sr.
Entering her fifth varsity season, Burgbacher is one of the top shortstops on Long Island. She'll play at Purchase next season.

Alex Burns, Baldwin, CF, Jr.
Sported a .562 batting average with an Island-best 12 home runs and 43 RBIs last season en route to Newsday All-Long Island second-team honors in 2016. Has 29 career homers as a varsity player.

Stephanie Burns, Mepham, P/OF/SS, Sr.
A complete player who can pitch, hit and patrol centerfield for the Pirates. Had six wins and a 3.42 ERA in the circle and batted .370 with 13 RBIs a year ago.

Kaileen Cain, Hauppauge, C/3B, Sr.
Hit .544 with 30 RBIs last season and has the arm and versatility to make opponents think twice about advancing bases.

Cassie Cancemi, Kings Park, P, Sr.
Cancemi is one of the most feared pitchers in Suffolk, posting a 1.51 ERA last season with 144 strikeouts in 114 innings.

Sabrina Caputo, Clarke, CF, Sr.
Cleanup hitter who batted .585 moved runners well and averaged an RBI per game last season. The captain has committed to attend Cortland in the fall.

Paulina Cardona, Long Beach, SS, Jr.
Was 26-for-67 (.388) at the plate with eight extra-base hits, 14 RBIs and 20 runs scored for the Marines a year ago.

Jackie Carty, East Islip, SS/3B, Sr.
Carty, who will play goalie for Molloy's women's soccer team, tied a school record with six home runs last season, coach Jason McGowan said. She is the team's emotional leader at shortstop.

Atrinette Casas, Brentwood, P/2B, Sr.
Casas hit .578 and had all 11 of Brentwood's victories in the circle last season as she looks to lead the Indians into postseason play.

Kara Castaldo, Mepham, 3B, Jr.
Has played varsity since her freshman year. The 2016 All-County player sported a .460 on-base percentage and .413 batting average with 15 RBIs in 2016.

Morgan Catalanotto, Smithtown East, RF, Sr.
The senior, entering her fourth varsity season, hit .375 with 21 RBIs and 17 runs and has an arm in rightfield that makes runners think twice about advancing extra bases.

Jessica Clark, Newfield, SS, Jr.
Clark is one of the most dynamic middle infielders on Long Island and will lead Newfield this season.

Alise Colandro, East Islip, C, Jr.
The leadoff hitter set a school record with 47 hits, coach Jason McGowan said, as the catcher hit .435 with 26 runs and 19 steals.

Kristen Collins, Holy Trinity, OF, Sr.
A strong centerfielder, who has a great voice in the field, a strong arm and is a confident hitter, according to coach Samantha Miller. Collins has committed to Oneonta for the fall.

Kirstin Cox, Clarke, SS/Util, Sr.
Returning All-County leadoff hitter has speed and athleticism that allows the lefty to be a threat at the plate. Has great arm strength and covers a lot of ground, coach Rachel Barry said.

Francesca Cuttitta, Massapequa, CF, Jr.
The cleanup hitter batted .404 with four home runs, 19 RBIs, 19 runs scored, a .564 on-base percentage and .745 slugging percentage last season. She's a "five-tool player," according to her coach Bret Malone.

Liz D'Agostino, Sachem North, C, Sr.
One of the top defensive catchers in Suffolk, the senior only allowed two stolen bases and hit .404 last season.

Sophie Dandola, Seaford, P/1B, Sr.
One of the top pitchers in Nassau. The Hofstra commit missed nearly all of last season with a toe injury, but looks to return and help a young Vikings team.

Jenna DeFina, Massapequa, OF, Jr.
The Chiefs' leadoff hitter has speed and a bat to match. She hit .389 with a .475 on-base percentage and 19 runs scored as a sophomore.

Alyssa Delaney, St. Anthony's, 3B, Sr.
The strong-armed third baseman hit .365 with a.459 on-base percentage for St. Anthony's last season. Delaney will be playing college ball at Queens College.

Theresa DeSantis, Farmingdale, SS, Sr.
One of the best defensive shortstops in Nassau, Dalers coach Laura Malone said. The cleanup hitter batted .545 and led her team with 31 RBIs last year.

Gwen Donaldson, Babylon, SS, Sr.
A consistent presence at shortstop, Donaldson hit .541 with 39 RBIs to lead Babylon to the Suffolk B title game last season.

Lové Drumgole, Mount Sinai, SS, Jr.
Drumgole hit safely in every game last season, posting a .628 average with 33 runs, 28 RBIs and 25 stolen bases and leading the Mustangs to their second straight county championship.

Taylor Epstein, Whitman, P, Sr.
Epstein had 112 strikeouts in 100 innings for Whitman with a 2.10 ERA and .095 WHIP last season.

Samantha Estupinian, Valley Stream North, SS, Sr.
Great hitter and shortstop, according to coach Katie DiLapi. Tied for eighth in Nassau with five home runs last season.

Maddie Feddersen, Islip, 1B, Sr.
A two-time league pitcher of the year, Feddersen led Islip to the Suffolk A final after going 16-5 with 94 strikeouts and a 1.84 ERA. The Bloomfield commit hit .455 with 22 RBIs.

Tierney Fitzgerald, Holy Trinity, P, Jr.
The starting pitcher for the Titans the last two seasons, she earned four wins and had three home runs last year. Fitzgerald has already committed to St. Bonaventure, Holy Trinity coach Samantha Miller said.

Tori Fox, Deer Park, C, Sr.
Fox hit .396 with a .438 on-base percentage, including four home runs and 18 RBIs, for Deer Park last season.

Maddie Gallagher, Port Washington, 2B, Fr.
Played varsity as a seventh grader, and then was All-County a year ago as an eighth grader with a .575 average, five triples, five home runs and 30 RBIs.

Julia Golino, Mt. Sinai, P/1B, Soph.
The small schools pitcher of the year went 10-0 with a 2.14 ERA last season and hit .449 with 31 RBIs for the Class A champions.

Courtney Greene, East Islip, P, Sr.
The Molloy commit led East Islip to the county final last season, rattling five straight wins in the circle in the playoffs. Greene set a school record with 176 strikeouts in 155 innings and has the school all-time record with 518 strikeouts, coach Jason McGowan said.

Ann Grimshaw, New Hyde Park, C, Sr.
A two-time Top 100 selection, Grimshaw hit .581 with an .853 slugging percentage and 33 RBIs last season. Committed to Queens College.

Jennifer Hickey, New Hyde Park, 1B/P, Sr.
Hit .246 with 16 runs scored and 11 RBIs a year ago. The four-year starter has played shortstop and pitcher (as a freshman and sophomore) and first base the last two seasons.

Jessica Hom, Syosset, SS, Sr.
A returning Newsday All-Long Island second-team selection, Hom enters her fifth year as the Braves' starting shortstop. The Bucknell commit batted .541 with a .735 slugging percentage and 21 runs scored last season.

Kayla Hujber, Center Moriches, 3B, Sr.
Hujber, committed to Iona, is a constant threat to opposing pitchers for the defending Suffolk B champions.

Jen Imhof, Calhoun, OF, Jr.
Speedy outfielder with a great arm has a career batting average near .400. Has played varsity since eighth grade.

Addie Jackson, Massapequa, P, Jr.
Jackson went 9-1 last season with a 2.97 ERA and also recorded a save for the Chiefs. She mixes four pitches effectively and is mentally tough, coach Bret Malone said.

Courtney Kane, Bellport, P, Sr.
Bellport's starting pitcher since eighth grade enters off a season with 173 strikeouts and a 2.39 ERA in 20 starts. She also led the team in runs scored.

Macy Kane, Floyd, P/1B, Sr.
Kane looks to establish herself as one of the top pitchers in Suffolk I, after leading Floyd in wins and strikeouts last season.

Jenna Laird, East Meadow, SS, Fr.
The fleet-footed No. 2 hitter for the Jets batted .481 with a .524 on-base percentage, 12 stolen bases and 32 runs scored in 2016.

Tonianne Larson, Long Beach, P, Sr.
Went 9-7 with 155 strikeouts in 103 innings with a 2.58 ERA. Batted .348 with 14 runs scored and 12 RBIs.

Riley Lim-Ellis, Kellenberg, C/INF, Jr.
How good is Lim-Ellis? Veteran coach Ken Conrade, entering his 25th season, nominated this first-year varsity player who will catch and play multiple positions in the infield for a young Firebirds squad.

Christina Loeffler, East Meadow, P, Jr.
Was 7-2 with a 2.88 ERA and 53 strikeouts in the circle. Batted .423 with seven home runs, 35 RBIs and a .489 on-base percentage.

Emma Lupoli, Port Washington, P, Sr.
Team leader in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched the last three seasons for the Vikings. Went 10-4 with a 2.75 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 95 innings, and batted .475 with six homers and 32 RBIs in 2016.

Samantha MacPherson, Sachem North, CF, Jr.
With a knack for the big hit, the athletic centerfielder hit .457 and led Sachem North with 15 RBIs last season.

Amanda Maffucci, Bellmore JFK, OF, Jr.
The talented outfielder helped the Cougars to a 13-4 record last season with an impressive .457 batting average. Can both slap and hit for power and boasts a .481 on-base percentage.

Melissa Marchese, Shoreham-Wading Rider, C, Soph.
Marchese hit .533 with six home runs and 34 RBIs and provided strong defense behind the plate for the Wildcats. She had a .986 slugging percentage.

Megan McCormack, Carey, C/OF, Sr.
Batted .325 with three home runs and 21 RBIs for the Nassau Class A runner-up from a year ago.

Sarah McKeveny, Connetquot, P/SS, Sr.
One of the most dominant pitchers on Long Island, McKeveny had five no-hitters, four one-hitters and finished 13-6 with a 0.96 ERA last season. She also hit .371 with 13 RBIs and is committed to Bryant.

Rachel Mihlstin, Bay Shore, OF, Sr.
Hitting at the top of the lineup, Mihlstin is a problem for opponents no matter where she is on the field. She causes havoc on the bases, can slap the ball and hit for power and has great range in centerfield.

Haley Monahan, Wantagh, P, Sr.
Went undefeated in the circle last season (11-0) for the Warriors. Will be Wantagh's No. 3 hitter this season.

Montia Moon, Baldwin RF, Sr.
Fresh off a state title as a key member of the Bruins basketball team, the speedy Moon will patrol centerfield and had an on-base percentage of .538 last season.

Shannon Myles, MacArthur, 3B, Sr.
The Generals leadoff hitter, batted .326 with 28 runs scored and 25 RBIs for the Nassau AA champs last season. The four-year starter has committed to SUNY Plattsburgh.

Stephanie Neglia, West Islip, SS, Sr.
The defensive-minded shortstop leads and secures the middle infield for West Islip, looking to compete for a county title.

Amaris Negron, Central Islip, SS, Sr.
Negron is one of the top middle infielders on Long Island, relying on her athleticism and softball instincts to lead the Musketeers.

Lindsay Ness, Centereach, C, Sr.
The Hofstra commit is entering her sixth varsity season after hitting .475 with 22 RBIs in 20 games last season. She also hit .500 with runners in scoring position.

Victoria Nowak, Plainedge, P, Sr.
Struck out 65 in 102 innings with a 2.80 ERA for the Red Devils last season.

Demi Obremski, Island Trees, SS. Sr.
Hit .344 with 21 hits, 13 runs scored and 10 stolen bases for the 12-4 Bulldogs from a year ago.

Claire O'Brien, Sacred Heart, P, Sr.
The 2016 Newsday All-Long Island second-team selection went 16-5 in the circle with 184 strikeouts and 22 walks in 131.2 innings pitched. Opponents hit just .189 against her.

Victoria Overbeck, Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK, P/INF, Sr.
Has been the Hawks' starting pitcher since she was an eighth-grader and boasts consistency and command, coach Neil Lasher said. Can bat and produce in any of the top three spots in the lineup for her team.

Brianna Pinto, Carey, SS, Sr.
The Nassau County Coaches Association Player of the Year in 2016, Pinto hit .485 with three home runs, 29 RBIs, 24 runs scored and 19 stolen bases.

Danielle Polirer, Bellmore JFK, P/1B, Jr.
As a pitcher, had a 2.66 ERA and batted .415 last season for the competitive Cougars last season.

Nicole Principe, Commack, SS. Sr.
Principe, committed to Susquehanna, hit .356 with 22 RBIs for the defending Suffolk AA champions.

Hailey Puglia, Sachem East, P, Soph.
Puglia went 9-5 as a freshman with 128 strikeouts in 1.33 ERA. She looks to lead Sachem East from the circle in a very competitive Suffolk I.

Lauren Ramos, C, Westhampton, Jr.
As dominant behind the dish as she is at it, Ramos hit .547 with seven home runs and 38 RBIs last season.

Gianna Ranieri, Northport, P, Sr.
Ranieri went 7-2 with a 3.02 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 51 innings and hit .306 for the Tigers last season. She's committed to play at Fordham.

Jayna Rios, Floyd, SS, Jr.
After leading Floyd with four home runs last season, Rios returns to a Floyd team which pulled off two upsets in last season's Suffolk AA postseason run.

Jaclyn Rodriguez, Carey, C, Sr.
A complete catcher who can control the game behind the plate and back it up with a strong arm, according to coach Anthony Turco. Batted .300 last season for the 12-2 Seahawks.

Daniella Roselli, Division, 3B, Soph.
Batted .354 with 12 home runs and 22 RBIs as a freshman for the Blue Dragons. Has "unlimited power," according to coach Dave Radtke.

Carly Schultheiss, Hicksville, SS, Jr.
Led the Comets with a batting average over .400 and an on-base percentage of .560 and garnered All-County honors.

Alyssa Schwalb, Lindenhurst, 2B, Sr.
A four-year varsity starter, Schwalb hit .413 last season and will lead the Bulldogs as a senior. She'll be playing at Dominican College.

Sabrina Seeger, Oceanside, P/1B, Sr.
A four-year varsity standout who led the Sailors to a county title as a sophomore. Batted .398 with two home runs and 18 RBIs, and registered 113 strikeouts in the circle last season.

Alyssa Seidler, St. Anthony's, P, Fr.
Seidler was an All-County pitcher for North Babylon as an eighth-grader last season, winning 14 games. She'll have an immediate impact in the circle for the Friars.

Lyndsey Shaw, Sayville, C, Jr.
The move to catcher was no problem for Shaw, who was the Suffolk V fielder of the year and led one of the top offenses in Suffolk A last season.

Nahtica Shepherd, North Babylon, C, Sr.
The Suffolk III player of the year hit .460 with six home runs and 40 RBIs last season and is one of the top catchers on Long Island.

Ashley Spencer, Connetquot, CF/C, Sr.
Entering her senior season, Spencer is one of the top two-way outfielders in Suffolk. She evens has the talent to catch for the T-Birds. She's committed to East Stroudsburg.

Yanique "Yaya" Spencer, Baldwin, 3B, Jr.
A true cleanup hitter, Spencer batted a robust .514 with 11 homers and 41 RBIs last season for the Bruins.

Allie Stanya, Babylon, P, Jr.
The two-time league pitcher of the year went 11-3 with 108 strikeouts and a 2.58 ERA last season.

Kristen Suran, Bethpage, LF, Sr.
Can drive the ball to all fields. Batted .418 with three home runs, 19 RBIs and a .690 slugging percentage in 2016.

Jenn Swing, Syosset, 3B, Jr.
Hit .301 with 15 RBIs and a .410 slugging percentage and was All-County honorable mention a year ago. The junior has great hands, which she utilizes at third base for the Braves.

Mackenzie Tyler, Hampton Bays, 3B, Jr.
Tyler, a varsity member since the seventh grade, hit .468 last season and can play about any position on the field. Her speed and aggression on the bases keep opponents on edge at all times.

Kristen Ulmer, Half Hollow Hills East, P/SS, Sr.
Ulmer, entering her fifth varsity season, hit .415 with 14 RBIs along with being Hills East's primary pitcher. She's committed to Central Connecticut State.

Gianna Venuti, Commack, 2B, Jr.
The Adelphi commit hit .435 with 29 hits, 23 steals and is one of the most dangerous players in Suffolk.

Gabriella Vicidomini, Longwood, SS/2B, Jr.
Vicidomini hit .419 to lead Longwood in hits and runs scored. The Lions look to finish toward the top of Suffolk I.

Melissa Ward, Garden City, P, Sr. A varsity member since eighth grade, Ward has been an All-County player the last two seasons for the Trojans. She was tied for third in Nassau with seven homers last season.

Jillian Weinstein, Half Hollow Hills West, P/1B, Jr.
Weinstein hit .360 with four home runs and 21 RBIs and looks to lead Hills West into the playoffs this season.

Emily Whitman, Comsewogue, SS, Jr.
A sure-handed glove at shortstop, Whitman poses an equal threat at the plate and on the bases. She hit .539 with 16 extra-base hits and 35 steals last season.

Catherine Zucker, North Babylon, CF, Jr.
Zucker hit .420 with 35 runs scored for the Suffolk III champions last season. North Babylon looks to compete for a Suffolk AA title this season.