Newsday Players to watch in Nassau, Suffolk and CHSAA softball in 2017

NEWSDAYS 2017 Softball Players to Watch
15 out of 20 selected play or played for Team Long Island

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.

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. Committed to Binghamton University.

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.

Alex Burns, Baldwin, CF, Jr.
Sported a .562 batting average and displayed some of the best power on Long Island with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs last season. Has 29 homers on varsity.

Kirstin Cox, Clarke, SS, Sr.
Leadoff hitter has speed and athleticism along with great arm strength and range. Committed to Saint Joseph’s University PA.

Francesca Cuttitta, Massapequa, CF, Jr.
The clean-up 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.

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.

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 led the Mustangs to their second straight county championship.

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.
She earned four wins and had three home runs last year. Fitzgerald has made a verbal commitment to St. Bonaventure, Holy Trinity coach Samantha Miller said.

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.

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.

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. Committed to Molloy College.

Sarah McKeveny, Connetquot, P, 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 University.

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.

Claire O’Brien, Sacred Heart, P, Sr.
O'Brien went 16-5 in the circle with 184 strikeouts and 22 walks in 131.2 innings pitched for the CHSAA state champions, holding opponents to a .189 batting average

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. Committed to Fordham University.

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.

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.