Softball: These Section 1 underclassmen have made an impact in Class AAA and AA in 2024

The jump to the varsity level is hard, but these young underclassmen have stepped up to the occasion and served as big contributors to their teams.

Sometimes, the older stars get the attention, but the spotlight is on these middle school-aged to sophomore softball players who are doing more than just holding their own.

Here is a look at some of the large-school underclassmen who have made their mark this spring in Class AAA and Class AA. Impact underclassmen in Class A, B and C will get the spotlight later in the week.

Class AAA

Olivia Alperin, Fr., CF, New Rochelle: The Huguenots freshman is batting .481 this season, with a team-high 15 doubles, 23 runs scored and eight RBIs. She has also has 22 stolen bases.

Katie Barosa, So., P, John Jay-East Fishkill: She's been solid when she takes the circle. Barosa has a 4-1 record, with a 2.01 ERA with 28 strikeouts and only five walks allowed.

Kaelyn Brenner, So., UTIL/P, Ketcham: Primarily a position player, Brenner has stepped up to fulfill pitching duties and has had a great season offensively, while adjusting to her new role. Brenner is batting .524, with two home runs, 12 RBIs, 22 runs scored

Morgan Doughty, So., C, John Jay-East Fishkill: The Patriots' catcher is batting .409, with 21 runs scored and a .581 on-base percentage.

Sam Harris, So., 2B/P, Arlington: The Admirals second baseman is batting .462, with five doubles and a .500 on-base percentage from the leadoff spot. She has also scored 14 runs and tallied nine RBIs. While she primarily plays at second base, she has chipped in as pitcher, recording 28 strikeouts over 28 innings and a 2-2 record.

Grace Hotle, 7th, 2B, Ketcham: Like her older sisters, Kat and Paige, Grace has quickly left an impression on the Ketcham program in her first year on varsity. The youngest Hotle is batting .340, with 10 runs scored and seven RBIs.

Paige Hotle, So., C, Ketcham: She continues to level up her game in her fourth year as a varsity starter. Hotle recently surpassed the 100-hit milestone as a sophomore and this season, she is batting .385 with six home runs, 20 RBIs and 20 runs scored.

Kristin Howie, 8th, C, Ossining: Howie has made a great first impression on varsity. She's been a positive force for the Pride all-around the plate. Offensively, she's batting .600 this season, with six doubles, three triples, 16 RBIs and has picked off numerous runners as the team's full-time starting catcher.

Ava Jacobs, So., C/3B, North Rockland: Jacobs has taken a big step forward in her second varsity season. This year, she's batting .397, with five doubles, two home runs, 14 RBIs, 13 runs scored and an on-base percentage of .453. She also has a fielding percentage of 97% through 113 total chances.

Emma Kozlowski, So., 1B, Ketcham: A third-year varsity starter, Kozlowski has developed into a consistent all-around threat at the plate and on defense. This season, she's batting .440, with two home runs, 22 RBIs and 12 runs scored.

Hannah Leon, So., 3B/C, North Rockland: After thriving as a clean-up hitter last year in her first season on varsity, Leon is enjoying another productive season with the Red Raiders. This season, she's batting .381, with three doubles, a home run, 14 RBIs, 17 runs scored, and a .435 on-base percentage in the Red Raiders' challenging schedule.

Gianna McMahon, So., C, White Plains: McMahon continues to make an impact for the Tigers, after a solid freshman season. This year, she became the Tigers' full-time catcher after splitting duties at first base and behind the plate last season. McMahon is batting .362, with three doubles, a triple, one home run and 12 RBIs.

Tara Murphy, So., P/OF, North Rockland: She's pitched her way to victory against numerous lohud-ranked teams and teams in contention for Section 1 titles in a variety of classes. Murphy has a 12-2 record in the circle, with 113 strikeouts and 30 walks, over 99 innings of action. She's also batting .286, with four doubles, two triples, two home runs, 20 RBIs and 13 runs scored.

Neela Older, So., OF/2B, White Plains: She's made great strides since last season. This year, Older is batting .391, with four doubles, two triples, 10 RBIs and 24 runs scored.

Ava Ritterman, So., SS/3B, White Plains: After getting a taste of varsity last year, Ritterman is enjoying a much-improved sophomore season. She is batting .390, with seven doubles, a triple, 15 RBIs, 27 runs scored and seven stolen bases.

Ava Voyiatzis, Fr., CF, Mamaroneck: She quickly cracked the starting lineup in her varsity debut and has shown tremendous range and a strong arm in the outfield. Offensively, she's batting .356, with five doubles, a triple, one home run and 12 RBIs. She recently moved from the leadoff spot to clean-up and has the second-most RBIs on her team.

Alexis Tighe, Fr., P, White Plains: After an impressive all-state season as an eighth-grader, Tighe is following up with a phenomenal freshman campaign. Tighe is batting .600, with 11 doubles, one triple, six home runs and 31 RBIs. As a pitcher, she is 14-1, with a 1.28 ERA and 198 strikeouts over 92.2 innings.

Class AA

Emily Boyle, Fr., P, Somers: After earning league pitcher of the year honors as an eighth-grader, Boyle is having another solid all-around season. Boyle has a 1.80 ERA and 87 strikeouts over 77.2 innings. She is also hitting .364, with four doubles, two triples, 12 RBIs and seven runs.

Kate Brown, Fr., P, Yorktown: She plays and acts at a level well beyond her years whenever she sets foot on the field. Brown is batting .375 with four doubles, 23 RBIs and six walks. She's only struck out six times in 62 plate appearances. As a pitcher, she has a 2.60 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 85 innings.

Mya Campbell, Fr., OF/1B, Yonkers: Campbell is batting .368, the second-highest average on the team, with two triples, 15 stolen bases, 17 runs, and a .478 on-base percentage.

Adriana Capano, Fr., P/DP, Ursuline: One of several pitchers in the Koalas rotation, Capano pitched the way to victory and got key wins over Arlington, Mamaroneck and several others. She's chipped in five doubles at the plate.

Katie Cole, So., SS, Somers: After a phenomenal freshman season, Cole is taking things a step further as a sophomore. She is batting .595, with four doubles, two triples, 14 runs scored, eight RBIs, a .694 on-base percentage and 1.505 OPS. She's also drawn 12 walks and stole four bases.

Grace Comizio, Fr., 3B/P, Eastchester: Comizio is one of the Eagles' top defensive players, and she's also batting .293, with five doubles, a triple, 12 RBIs and 21 runs scored. She has also helped out in the circle, with a 2-0 record and 15 strikeouts over 14.1 innings.

Peyton Conti, 8th, 2B, Clarkstown North: Conti has provided a defensive boost for the Rams, recording 41 putouts and a .955 fielding percentage. She's also batting .303, with a .410 on-base percentage, four doubles, one home run and 10 runs scored.

Sabrina Cosgrove, 8th, P, Eastchester: After stepping up big as a seventh-grader last season, Cosgrove is enjoying another big season for the Class AA-contending Eagles. She has an 13-1 record, with a 1.84 ERA and 69 strikeouts over 91 innings. She's also held opponents to a .239 batting average.

Siena DeCicco, So., CF, Clarkstown North: A third-year starter, DeCicco holds down the center field and leadoff spot for the Rams. She is batting .377, with four doubles, five triples, 10 RBIs, 22 runs scored and a .403 on-base percentage.

Jenna Domenici, 8th, C, Pelham: Domenici is batting .391, with three doubles and 12 RBIs for the Pelicans this season.

Kayla Dwyer, So., P, Clarkstown South: The Viking pitcher has been a catalyst in her team's success with her arm and bat. Dwyer has 13 wins, with a 1.73 ERA and 108 strikeouts. Offensively, she's batting .347, with 16 RBIs, 13 runs scored, and a .418 on-base percentage.

Samantha Eredetario, Fr., CF, Mahopac: The Wolf Pac's leadoff hitter entered the final week of the regular season with a .364 batting average and .417 on-base percentage. She also had two doubles, a triple and 11 runs scored.

Caitlin Fitts, Fr., 1B, Somers: She's batting .304, with three doubles, a triple, 14 runs scored and eight RBIs.

Sophia Gutierrez, Fr., C, Eastchester: She continues to be a key contributor for the Eagles. A disciplined hitter, Gutierrez is batting .381, with eight doubles, one home run, 12 RBIs and 14 runs scored.

Jordana Kerwar, Fr., OF, Fox Lane: She was called up midway through her eighth-grade JV season and has made an impact ever since. Kerwar is thriving in her first full season on varsity, batting .540, with three doubles, seven RBIs, and a .596 on-base percentage. She's a threat on the basepaths and has 16 stolen bases.

Giana Kusterer, So., P, Brewster: She is emerging as a go-to arm in the circle. A scrappy competitor, Kusterer is 4-4 in the circle, but has limited opponents to a .125 batting average and has 57 strikeouts.

Marlee Levin, So., C, Clarkstown North: She continues to be a lifeline behind the plate for the Rams. The defensive stalwart is also on pace for her a career year on the offensive end in her third season on varsity, batting .463, with five doubles, two triples, two home runs, 21 RBIs and a .741 slugging percentage.

Michaela Manekas, Fr., P/3B, Ursuline: One of several pitchers in the Koalas' rotation, Manekas took the mound in the Koalas' marquee wins over Harrison and Hen Hud. When she's not pitching, she plays in the infield. This season, she has a .333 on-base percentage with 12 runs scored, five RBIs and three stolen bases.

Ava Medina, So., CF, Brewster: The Bears' sophomore provides a reliable presence in the outfield, but she's also batting .371 and leads the team in RBIs and runs scored.

Emma Mariella, So., 3B, Brewster: Mariella holds down the hot corner for the Bears and has been great defensively at third base. She is also batting .310 this year.

Madison Miller, 8th, SS/LF, Harrison: A newcomer to varsity this season, Miller has been excelling for the Huskies. The versatile eighth-grader is batting .382, with six RBIs and 10 runs scored.

Emma Namba, Fr., SS/P, Pelham: Namba is building off of her solid eighth-grade season and continues to be a catalyst for the Pelicans. This year, she is batting .461, with eight doubles, three triples, 21 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. She has also contributed in the circle and has four wins as pitcher.

Ava Papaleo, So., CF, Ursuline: The consensus top 10 nationally-ranked standout in her class is enjoying another great all-around season for the Koalas. She is batting .606, with 15 doubles, seven triples, four home runs and 36 RBIs. Papaleo hasn't committed any errors this season and she reached the 100-hit milestone with a two-run home run against Class AA contender Eastchester.

Angelina Recine, Fr., CF, Eastchester: A speed threat and a dependable presence in center, Recine is batting .342, with one triple, 16 runs scored, six RBIs and eight stolen bases.

Sofia Rodriguez, Fr., P/OF, Fox Lane: Rodriguez built off of her promising eighth-grade season and continues to make an impact with her arm, bat and speed. She averages 10 strikeouts a game and reached the 250-strikeout career milestone last week. She also helps out in the outfield when she's not pitching. Rodriguez is batting .435 from the leadoff spot, with four doubles, six RBIs, 18 runs scored, 19 stolen bases and a .536 on-base percentage.

Kaitlyn Rose, Fr., RF, Clarkstown South: Rose is batting .400, with five doubles, a triple, one home run, 13 RBIs and 18 runs. Rose also drew 10 walks and has a .509 on-base percentage and .622 slugging percentage.

Emily Rossi, 8th, P, Ursuline: One of several pitchers in the Koalas' pitching rotation, Rossi led the way in the circle in wins over Arlington, New Rochelle and made a bunch more appearances in relief. Rossi has given up just seven earned runs over 41 innings of action (1.20 ERA) and leads the team in strikeouts.

Nailah Searight, So., P, Saunders: She recently emerged as a strikeout machine for Saunders, and is a solid hitter at the plate. The two-way threat helped the Blue Devils win a Yonkers City title, and she was named Tournament MVP.

Leah Taddeo, 8th, 2B, Ursuline: She's made her mark in the top of the batting order in her varsity debut season. Taddeo is batting .343, with 15 runs scored, 10 walks, three stolen bases and four RBIs.

Sofia Valente, Fr., UTIL, Fox Lane: Valente has delivered hits in the big moment for the Foxes. She's batting .345, with three doubles, two triples, a .474 on-base percentage and 13 RBIs, the second-most on the team.

Carley Voce, So., CF, Clarkstown South: Voce is batting .411, with six doubles, a triple, one home run, 17 runs scored and is tied for the team high with 17 RBIs. Voce also has a .434 on-base percentage and a .627 slugging percentage.

Camdyn Wilson, So., SS, Mahopac: She's been a fixture in the Wolf Pac's lineup since joining and starting on varsity as an eighth-grader. After earning all-section honorable mention honors last season, Wilson remains a key contributor. She entered the final week of the regular season with a .289 average, five doubles, and eight runs scored. She has the fourth-most hits on her team and her 10 RBIs are the second-highest on the Wolf Pac. She also brings a solid glove to a premium position.

Jordanna Yomtov, Fr., DP/OF, Harrison: She's quickly made her mark as a freshman. Yomtov leads the Huskies in batting average (.500), on-base percentage (.583), and RBIs (16). She also has two doubles, one home run and six runs scored.

Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Softball: These underclassmen have made an impact in Class AAA and AA