Section V softball is stacked with talent: 142 players on AGR watchlist for 2024

Players from Webster Thomas' softball team voted seniors Maddie Hicks, Maddie Throumoulos and Julia Maciag as captains.

The Titans' trio are some of Section V's best softball players on the field. Off the field, Webster Thomas coach Emily Castro instead gleamed over their work ethic. She said Hicks, Throumoulos and Maciag are responsible for running tough offseason workouts for the 2023 state semifinalists.

"We've really worked hard in the offseason and they were the centers of that. I'm really appreciative of that. They don't want to accept anything less than working hard," Castro said.

Many of Section V's premier softball players have returned in 2024. Reigning All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year Nevaeh Ross, for instance, enters her senior season after nearly guiding Friendship/Scio to a state championship. Alongside Ross, Pittsford Mendon's Lilly Goldberg and Wellsville's Makenzie Cowburn are already two-time AGR first teamers.

Section V stars at scrimmage in Webster

An early spring snowfall March 23 forced Webster Thomas to host a scrimmage against Pittsford Mendon inside its fieldhouse. The session featured many of Section V's best players under one roof.

Maddie Throumoulos returns to third base. Throumoulos can field and swing with the best of them. She smacked a solo home run in the state semifinals. Julia Maciag's error-free fielding, speed and throwing range makes her one of the area's best shortstops, and she's just as dangerous batting leadoff. Of Section V's many great pitchers, Maddie Hicks is near the top. The AGR first teamer's right-handed throws are powerful. The same goes for her bat. Hicks' grand slam in regionals ignited the Titans' state final four run.

"Every year you can count of (Hicks) to work as hard as she can. She's not going to let off the gas. In her mind, this is it. This is senior year. She wants to go out knowing that she left it all on the field," Castro said.

Pittsford Mendon senior Lilly Goldberg has been feared for years in the circle. Last spring, Goldberg threw a perfect game and two no-hitters — all in the same week. She is also Mendon's top hitter. Goldberg and Greta Marino are coach Scott Parsons' only seniors. Sophomore catcher Maddie Fallows and freshman shortstop Alex Van Ginhoven are among the Vikings' key returners who'll lead a team with five former junior varsity players.

"We've gotten immensely better. It's really cool to see. ... We're doing a really good job mixing together and bonding. It's going to be a really good season," Goldberg said.

Section V's softball players to watch in 2024

Athletes were nominated by Section V coaches and the Democrat and Chronicle staff. Coaches can email mslaughter1@gannett.com to include their softball players. Stats are from previous season(s).

Kate Abbamonte, Mercy: Junior center fielder batted .333.

Natalie Adams, Wellsville: Junior, All-Greater Rochester honorable mention.

Nicole Allen, Fairport: Senior center fielder, .519, 1.438 OPS, 4 HRs, 19 RBIs, committed to Stony Brook University.

Bizzie Baglieri, Webster Schroeder: Senior Boston University commit, first baseman/catcher, .367, 19 RBIs, 17 Runs.

Reagan Bannister, Letchworth: Senior Genesee Community College commit, third baseman, .333, three 3Bs, HR. Strong on offense and defense.

Brazen Beckwith, Wellsville: Senior Finger Lakes Community College commit, NYS 2nd team, AGR HM.

Sommer Beckwith, Bolivar-Richburg: Junior infielder, .307.

Jayla Bell, Lyons: Junior shortstop.

Malina Bellos, Caledonia-Mumford: Senior outfielder, .437, 22 RBIs.

Libby Benner, Keshequa: Senior captain plays shortstop/centerfield, Alfred State basketball commit.

Kailey Besio, Irondequoit: Senior pitcher/shortstop, 4th season; .348 average, 19 runs, 15 RBI, 14 SB; Pitching: 6-1, 3.06 ERA.

Kamryn Bonnell, Lyons: Sophomore second baseman.

Emerson Broomfield, Canandaigua: Senior pitcher, 5-year starter, .445, 2 HRs, 3.10 ERA, attending Tulane.

Ariana Buchiere, Canandaigua: Senior centerfielder, 4-year starter, .495, 3 HRs, 13 SBs, St. Bonaventure commit.

Sawyer Burke, Wellsville: Senior St. Bonaventure commit, AGR HM.

Kelley Burnett, Canandaigua: Senior catcher, Houghton commit, 4-year starter, .458, 3 HRs, caught 12 runners stealing.

Emma Burr, Sodus: Senior first baseman, .382 batting average, .420 OBP.

Delaney Buttles, Aquinas: Eighth-grade shortstop.

Kendall Buttles, Aquinas: Seventh-grade pitcher.

Hannah Carpenter, Brockport: Sophomore pitcher, 1st team all-county, .465, 23 RBIs, 2 HRs, 9 wins and 85 strikeouts while pitching every inning but two.

Juliana Catalano, Fairport: Senior second baseman, .325, .826 OPS, 2 HRs, committed to Manhattanville College.

Isabella Cochran, Caledonia-Mumford: Senior outfielder, .338, 22 RBIs, 3 2Bs, 3 3Bs, 2 HRs.

Ella Cooley, Irondequoit: Junior centerfielder, .402, 29 runs, 11 RBIs, 7 SBs.

Madison Coots, Haverling: Senior Corning Community College commit, third baseman, .444, 3 HRs, 24 hits, 18 RBIs, 3 3Bs.

Catelin Couillard, Midlakes: Senior second baseman.

Makenzie Cowburn, Wellsville: Senior Bellarmine commit, NYS 1st team, BIG 30 Pitcher of the Year, AGR 1st team, Section V Class B2 Player of the Year.

Jalissa Crittenden, Eastridge: Sophomore pitcher.

Jessie Crye, Avon: Sophomore pitcher, 280 Ks in 20 games, 25 ERs; Leadoff hitter, .507, 21 RBIs 36 runs scored.

Kate Dailor, Honeoye Falls-Lima: Senior catcher/shortstop, Bucknell commit.

Kelsey Davis, Keshequa: Senior captain and second baseman, Keuka soccer commit.

Norah DeMayo, Irondequoit: Senior catcher/outfielder, 4th season, .356 average, 16 runs, 15 RBIs, 0 errors in 128 total chances.

Abigale DeRock, Letchworth: Senior pitcher and Keuka commit led team to section final. Hit .359. As pitcher threw 167 Ks, .150 OBA, 1.4 ERA.

Liana DeValder, Webster Schroeder: Junior pitcher, .508, 27 Runs, 24 RBIs, 6 HRs, 2.05 ERA, 197 Ks, AGR 1st team.

Claire Donlon, Wayland-Cohocton: Senior outfielder, .415, committed to Sienna for swimming/diving.

Grace Drumm, Friendship/Scio

Emma Dunman, Honeoye Falls-Lima: Junior pitcher/utility.

Makenna Dunbar, Wellsville: Junior, NYS 4th team, BIG 30 Player of the Year, AGR 1st team.

Morgan Dunman, Honeoye Falls-Lima: Junior catcher/utility.

Zoe Eaton, Wayne: Junior shortstop, 4-year starter, .520, 11 2Bs, 6 3Bs, 5 HRs, 40 RBIs, 1.027 SLG, 1st team Finger Lakes East.

Kaylie Emmons, Letchworth: Junior shortstop, LCAA all-star, .342, 21 RBIs, 22 SBs.

Coral Enscoe, Bishop Kearney: Junior shortstop, 2nd in RBIs, SBs team leader, PPL all-star.

Abigail Eschner, Northstar Christian: Junior shortstop, .500, helped lead offense.

Myia Eskinder, Wayne: Junior pitcher/outfielder, 13-1, 3.33 ERA, batted .438, 6 2Bs, 4 3Bs, 4 HRs, .763 SLG   2nd team FLE.

Maddie Fallows, Pittsford Mendon: Sophomore catcher, 16 hits, .271, 9 RBIs, 16 runs scored.

Sarah Feruzza, Webster Schroeder: Senior Nazareth commit, center/utility, .349, 14 Runs, 12 RBIs.

Giana Ficcaglia, Penn Yan: Senior pitcher, Edinboro commit, 5-year starter, captain .268, 3 2Bs, 1 3B, .339 OBP. School records over 500 career Ks and over 200 Ks in 2023 season; Penn Yan Academy Sports Awards Coaches Trophy. FLE Player and Pitcher of the Year.

Laney Flynn, Irondequoit: Senior third baseman, .370, 2 HRs, 14 RBIs.

Jordan Gammell, Wayland-Cohocton: Junior outfielder, .418.

Mia Gathercole, Honeoye Falls-Lima: Senior pitcher.

Hannah Glanton, Pittsford Sutherland: Returning junior.

Gabby Glanville, Brighton: Junior leftfielder.

Elizabeth Gleghorn, Rush-Henrietta: Junior cathcer, .425, 24 RBIs; 12 XBH.

Lilly Goldberg, Pittsford Mendon: Senior pitcher, 2-time AGR 1st team, Section V Class A2 Player of the Year, Monroe County Division III Player of the Year, 16-5, 1.24 ERA, 275 Ks in 141 IP, 27 hits, .465, 19 RBIs.

Sarah Goodsell, Canandaigua: Sophomore outfielder, .340, 10 SBs.

Jordyn Graham, Sodus: Sophomore shortstop/outfielder, .450, 18 SBs.

Kadyn Hartel, Rush-Henrietta: Junior pitcher/shortstop, 18-4, 2.48 ERA; .388 BA, AGR first teamer.

Maddie Hicks, Webster Thomas: Senior pitcher, Nazareth commit, .306 with three home runs, 26 hits, four doubles, a triple and 21 RBIs; 88 Ks, 3.16 ERA.

Merideth Holland, York: Senior pitcher, Lackawanna commit, studying cardiovascular ultrasound.

Isabella Hugi, Keshequa: Junior catcher.

Petra Hunt, Pittsford Sutherland: Freshman already in third season, No. 1 pitcher, shortstop when outside of circle, top returning hitter.

Kinsley Keil, Webster Schroeder: Freshman shortstop, .381, 11 sacrifice bunts.

Harper Kuehne, Eastridge: Sophomore shortstop.

Emma LaBour, Midlakes: Freshman third baseman/pitcher.

Kirsten Lajewski, Mynderse: Shortstop, 4-year starter, 3-time all-league.

Kyah Lajewski, Mynderse: Sophomore catcher, second leading hitter.

Avery Lamberson, Friendship/Scio

Emily Lamberson, Friendship/Scio

Katie Landers, Batavia Notre Dame

Peyton Leitten, Perry: Freshman, strong infielder, .377.

Gabby Lyons, Pittsford Sutherland: Sophomore shortstop/third base with a great bat.

Jayda M., Northstar Christian: Sophomore centerfielder, over .500.

Julia Maciag, Webster Thomas: Senior shortstop, Nazareth commit, NYSPHSAA Class A Sportsmanship Award, 2nd Team all-county, .345, 30 hits, 5 2Bs, 3 3Bs, 14 RBIs.

Riley Madigan, Aquinas: Sophomore catcher.

Madison Marchiole, Brighton: Junior pitcher/third baseman/first baseman.

Greta Marino, Pittsford Mendon: Senior leftfielder, 21 hits, .368, 13 RBIs 11 runs.

Mattie McCumiskey, Fillmore: Sophomore shortstop, .486, .790 SLG, 12 2Bs, 4 3Bs, 2 HRs, 24 RBIs, 26 runs.

Lauren McDermott, Mynderse: Centerfielder, 4-year starter, 3-time 1st team all-league.

Adelyn McDonald, Geneseo: Eighth-grade pitcher/third baseman/outfielder.

Alydia (AJ) McIntyre, North Rose-Wolcott: Sophomore pitcher, 2-time 1st team all-league, .417, 1.126 OPS, 5-5 record.

Kalli Meyer, Marion/Gananda: Sophomore shortstop, .418, 23 hits, 2 HRs.

Olivia Miles, Midlakes: Senior shortstop.

Emily Moran, Wayland-Cohocton: Freshman catcher, .477, 4 2Bs, 1 3B.

Jaelyn Morris, Perry: Senior infielder, .377.

Lucy Murphy, Hilton: Senior first baseman/outfielder, Messiah commit, .485, 32 runs, 1st team all-county.

Leah Murray, Webster Schroeder: Senior third baseman/outfielder, .390, 14 RBIs.

Maddie Murphy, Hilton: Freshman infielder/catcher, .384, 19 runs, 24 RBIs, 2nd team all-county.

Vanessa Ng, Brighton: Senior centerfielder, Durham commit studying pre-health.

Shannon O'Hora, Brighton: Junior shortstop.

Marissa Ordway, Wellsville: Senior, Alfred State commit, AGR HM, NYSPHSAA sportsmanship award winner.

Averee Palmatier, Wellsville: Junior, AGR HM.

Maeve Petitti, Brockport: Senior centerfielder, 1st team all-county, .576, 33 runs, 49-49 SBs.

Carmella Phelan, Bishop Kearney: Junior right-handed pitcher, 2.15 ERA, PPL Player of the Year, excels in weight room and benches 125 pounds, AGR 1st teamer.

Shaila Pragle, Wayland-Cohocton: Freshman shortstop, .342.

Abby Ras, Irondequoit: Junior first baseman, 4-year starter, .507, 24 runs, 27 RBIs.

Baylei Reed, Lyons: Junior catcher.

Rylee Richardson, Lyons: Seventh-grade pitcher/outfielder.

Lizzie Rinella, Rush-Henrietta: Sophomore utility, .315, 10 RBIs.

Dyanni Rivera, Bishop Kearney: Junior third baseman, led team in fielding %, PPL all-star in softball and track.

Lola Rivera, Northstar Christian: Freshman pitcher, 12 wins, 172 Ks in 99 IP.

Molly Robbins, Wayland-Cohocton: Freshman pitcher, 170 Ks in 136 IP.

Madalyn Robinson, Attica: Senior, "true" utility player who pitched, played SS, C and 1B, 55 Ks in 50 IP, batted .549, 28 hits, 2 3Bs, 1 HR, 6 RBIs, 15 SBs.

Brooke Rodas, Kendall: Sophomore/catcher/lead-off hitter, AGR HM, .400, 15 RBIs, 30 runs, 10 2Bs, and 5 3Bs. Defensively she was a rock behind the plate keeping runners honest when on base.

Morghyn Ross, Friendship/Scio: Sophomore catcher caught 2 perfect games with no errors; .517 only struck out 4 times, Allegany all-star, AGR 1st team, Big 30 all-stars, NYS 2nd team.

Neveah Ross, Friendship/Scio: Senior pitcher, LeMoyne commit, over 1,000 strikeouts, AGR POY, Big 30 Pitcher of the Year, Co-MVP Allegany County, NYS Class D all-tournament team, 2 perfect games, 8 no-hitters; 18 shutouts, .576, 9 HRs, 23 Strikeouts in the NYS final, tied for fifth most in state history.

Luci Rozzi, Brighton: Sophomore right fielder.

Alaina Ruffino, Bishop Kearney: Junior catcher/first baseman, led team in HRs, 2nd in 2Bs, PPL all-star.

Cailtin Ryan, Oakfield-Alabama

Giselle Santa Cruz, Sodus: Junior second baseman, .347, 13 SBs, .423 OBP.

Kayda Schmitt, Wayne: Senior second baseman, 4-year starter, .532, 7 XBHs, 21 RBIs, .675 SLG, .574 OBP, 1st team FLE all-star.

Trinity Scott, Letchworth: Senior Alfred State commit, missed 2023ACL injury, will anchor the outfield, lefty speedster.

Paige Siciliano, Hilton: Junior shortstop, .450, 28 RBIs, 22 runs, 1st team all-county.

JJ Siembor, Eastridge: Sophomore second baseman.

Alex Sippel, Pittsford Sutherland: Returning junior.

Emma Sisson, Bolivar-Richburg: Sophomore outfielder/infielder, .257.

Madison Shubauch, Honeoye Falls-Lima: Senior second baseman/shortstop, St. John Fisher commit.

Lauryn Smith, Fairport: Senior shortstop, .328, .818 OPS, 19 runs.

Makayla Smith, Irondequoit: Freshman first baseman, .312, 1 HR, 17 runs, 12 RBIs, 4 2Bs, 2 3Bs.

Lexi Smith-Beauregard, Aquinas: Eight-grade outfielder/pitcher.

Loretta Sorochty, Batavia Notre Dame

Caydence Spears, Haverling: Junior catcher, .582, 0.984 FPCT, 32 hits, 28 RBIs, 1 HR, 16 2Bs, 18 runs.

Leah Sperry, Mercy: Freshman pitcher.

Audrey Steinorth, Victor

Olivia Steinorth, Victor

Cassidy Stives, Bolivar-Richburg: Junior infielder, .204.

Lindsay Stuck, Wellsville: Junior AGR HM.

Colleen Talty, Caledonia-Mumford: Sophomore catcher, .390, 25 RBIs, 4 2Bs,, 3 3Bs, 1 HR, caught 7 of 16 runners stealing.

Jayna Thomas, Bolivar-Richburg: Sophomore outfielder, .393 average, 13 RBIs.

Emma Thompson, Eastridge: Sophomore all-county catcher.

Nora Thompson, Friendship/Scio

Maddie Throumoulos, Webster Thomas: Senior third baseman, Clarkson commit, .408, 31 hits, 16 RBIs, 19 runs; Section V Class A Tournament MVP; Monroe County Division II Player of the Year.

Hailey Trank, Penn Yan: Senior catcher plans to play college softball and volleyball, team captain, 5-year starter, .459, 6 2Bs, 6 3Bs, .581 OBP, FLE 1st team.

Kenzie Turner, Midlakes: Freshman pitcher.

Annika Van Damme, Mercy: Junior third baseman batted .373.

Alex Van Ginhoven, Pittsford Mendon: Freshman shortstop, 21 hits, .304, 8 RBIs, 14 runs.

Addison VanLare, Lyons: Freshman third baseman/catcher.

Ava Verdi, Mercy: Senior outfielder and pitcher.

Ella Waite, Brockport: Sophomore left fielder, .410, 10 RBIs, 10 runs, 7 SBs.

Keira Weber, Perry: Sophomore pitcher, 228 Ks, 2 no-hitters, batted .414.

Lili Weber, Geneseo: Senior catcher.

Rylee Whiting, Bolivar-Richburg: Sophomore pitcher/infielder, .402 average, 31 RBIs, 3.27 ERA, 3-0 record.

Elise Wilkinson, Lyons: Sophomore pitcher.

Kaili Witherell, Haverling: Junior pitcher committed to Texas State, .526 batting average, 0.18 ERA, .990 FPCT, 30 hits, 8 2Bs, 4 3Bs, 1 HR, 21 runs, AGR 1st team.

Ashlyn Wright, Bloomfield

Madison Wyskiel, Caledonia-Mumford: Senior third baseman, .359, 11 RBIs, 5 2Bs.

Emma Years, Caledonia-Mumford: Senior pitcher, LCAA all-star, 17-5 record, 1.96 ERA, 139 IP, 123 Ks, batted .348, 19 RBIs.

Nadia Zach, Penfield

— Marquel Slaughter is a journalist for the Democrat and Chronicle, specializing in high school sports. He has been reporter for 14 years. Follow him @MarquelSports on X or on Instagram. You can contact him at mslaughter1@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V softball is stacked with talent: 142 players to watch in 2024