Newsday’s Top 100 High School softball players for 2018

Long Island’s top high school softball players for the 2018 season, listed in alphabetical order.

​Marissa Braito, Sacred Heart, SS, Sr.
The four-year varsity shortstop won the CHSAA MVP last season, batting .661 with 41 hits, 34 runs and 26 stolen bases, only striking out four times. She has 71 stolen bases and 97 runs scored over her three seasons and is committed to play at Binghamton next year.

​Tierney Fitzgerald, Holy Trinity, P, Sr.
Committed to St. Bonaventure, Fitzgerald led the Titans in the circle and at the plate last season, winning 11 games while recording 100 strikeouts and hitting .347.

Ashley Budrewicz, MacArthur, C, Sr.
One of the best defensive catchers on Long Island, Budrewicz hit .370 with 22 runs and 12 RBIs for the defending Long Island Class A champions. She and her twin sister, Jess, will play at NYIT next year.

Jess Budrewicz, MacArthur, P, Sr.
Newsday’s 2017 Nassau Player of the Year went 23-3 with a 1.01 ERA and 265 strikeouts to only 23 walks in 171 2/3 innings in the circle. She threw 52 of 54 scoreless innings in the playoffs for the defending Long Island Class A champions. She will play at NYIT with her twin sister, Ashley, next year.

Alex Burns, Baldwin, CF, Sr.
The two-time All-Long Island second-team selection has some of the best power in the area. She had five home runs last season to raise her varsity total to 34 homers. She hit .500 with 25 RBIs and 29 runs last year and is committed to play at Molloy College.

Brianna Castro, Holy Trinity, SS, Jr.
One of the top defensive shortstops on Long Island, Castro is very quick and smooth to the ball. She hit .320 last season and is committed to the University at Buffalo.

Jazmine Cuffie, Bay Shore, 3B, Soph.
A highlight reel at third base, Cuffie is one of the top infielders on Long Island. She matches that glove with a strong bat, hitting .388 a .487 on-base percentage and 13 RBIs with 11 runs scored last season.

Molly Cummings, Babylon, C, Sr.
Hit .625 with two home runs, 32 RBIs and 42 runs scored last season for the Long Island Class B champions.

Francesca Cuttitta, Massapequa, CF, Sr.
A four-year starter, Cuttitta covers a tremendous amount of ground in centerfield and is a five-tool player for a team looking to compete for a county title.

Kailey Gallagher, Port Washington, OF, Jr.
The 5-8 outfielder, a slap hitter, batted .574 last season.

Maddie Gallagher, Port Washington, SS, Soph.
Maddie batted .571 with four doubles, four triples and four home runs last season. Led Vikings in nearly every offensive category a year ago.

Rachel Katz, Hills West, SS, Sr.
A five-tool player according to coach Bryan Dugan, Katz sported a .980 fielding percentage and batted .528 with 38 hits, 10 doubles and 14 stolen bases last season.

Ally Koustsogiannis, Clarke, 1B, Sr.
The third-year varsity starter, hit .465 and committed just one error last season. She has commited to play at SUNY-Geneseo.

Jenna Laird, East Meadow, SS, Soph.
The slick-fielding shortstop sparked the state champion Jets’ last season, hitting .602 with 33 RBIs and committed to Hofstra.

Amanda Maffucci, Bellmore JFK, OF, Sr.
The talented outfielder hit .358 last season, and will attend Hofstra this fall on an academic scholarship and will play softball according to Cougars coach Krista Thorn.

Claudia Porcaro, Plainedge, C, Sr.
The four-year varsity catcher is the Red Devils’ leader according to coach Melissa Amitrano. Porcaro hit .490 with a .785 slugging percentage and 37 RBIs.

Jayna Rios, Floyd, SS, Sr.
The five-year varsity member has the ability to drive the ball to all field with incredible power, hitting 11 home runs last season and is committed to play at LIU Post.

Julianna Sanzone, East Meadow, LF, Soph.
Sanzone hit .413 with 19 runs scored and 22 RBIs last season and is committed to play at Stony Brook.

Alyssa Seidler, St. Anthony’s, P, Soph.
Led St. Anthony’s to the CHSAA championship, going 9-3 with a 1.11 ERA and 158 strikeouts in 82 innings. She compliments her power in the circle in the batter’s box, with 18 RBIs last season. She's committed to play at Boston College.

Lyndsey Shaw, Sayville, C, Sr.
Playing on varsity since seventh grade, Shaw has provided consistency for the Sayville program. She hit .605 with 30 extra-base hits, including seven home runs, with 45 RBIs and 35 runs scored last season. She’s committed to play at Albany.

Allie Stanya, Babylon, P, Sr.
Stanya tossed a perfect game and three no-hitters with an 0.70 ERA and 183 strikeouts in 110 innings. She hit .559 for the Long Island Class B champions with 49 runs scored and 35 RBIs. She’s committed to play at Queens College.

Emily Van O’Linda, Wantagh, SS, Fr.
Batted .450 with a .500 on-base percentage, 15 runs scored, 10 RBIs and eight stolen bases as an eighth grader last season.

Gianna Venuti, Commack, 2B, Sr.One of the quickest players in Suffolk, the Adelphi commit hit .368 with 19 runs scored, 19 stolen bases and 11 RBIs last season.

Jillian Weinstein, Half Hollow Hills West, P/1B, Sr.
Weinstein hit nine home runs with nine doubles and 46 RBIs last season, batting .526. Committed to Sacred Heart University, she also pitched to a 2.94 ERA with 59 strikeouts.