Newsday's final top 10 high school softball team rankings for the season
St. Anthony’s softball players celebrate winning the state CHSAA title. Credit: Dylan Thiessen
(previous ranking in parentheses)
1. St. Anthony’s (1)
St. Anthony’s achieved its ultimate goal, winning a sixth straight state title with a 7-3 comeback victory over Moore Catholic. Nina Vandernoth was named NSCHSAA Pitcher of the Year and Olivia Feldman was named NSCHSAA tournament MVP, as the Friars (25-5) won their ninth consecutive league title.
2. Massapequa (5)
With its back against the wall, Massapequa scored 19 runs and won back-to-back games against Oceanside to claim the Nassau Class AAA title. Alexandra Dodick’s pinch-hit three-run homer was the difference for Massapequa (20-10) as it defeated Sachem North to win a second straight Long Island championship.
3. Wantagh (4)
Wantagh earned its first Long Island title since 1990 with a shutout against Miller Place. Lucy Olore was named Conference I Player of the Year and tossed shutouts in five of her eight playoff starts. Wantagh (18-7) will be just as formidable next season with Olore returning for her senior year.
4. Calhoun (9)
Calhoun’s sweep of MacArthur and victory over East Islip gave the team its first county and Long Island title in program history. The Colts (17-13) were the only Long Island public school to make it to the final day of the season after a 12-run victory over Minisink Valley in the state semifinal.
5. Sachem North (3)
Led by Delaney Mathes, Sachem North (22-3) claimed the Suffolk Class AAA title — its first county title since the split of the Sachem district into North and East high schools in 2004. Sachem North took an 11-game winning streak into the Long Island championship game.
6. Oceanside (2)
Oceanside looked poised to win a county title after finishing first in Conference I and winning the opening game of the championship series. Oceanside (22-5) got outstanding seasons from pitcher Caroline Ferchland and shortstop Karley Handleman as the Sailors made a third straight county final appearance.
7. Miller Place (6)
The Panthers made it through the elimination bracket, defeating Kings Park twice in a row for their third straight Suffolk Class A title. Shortstop Laney Vomero and catcher Delaney Schleider led Miller Place to a 20-5 record.
8. East Islip (7)
After losing three of its first five games, East Islip (16-6) found its form and rolled to a second straight Suffolk Class AA title. First baseman Kayla Varga capped an outstanding high school career with another excellent season.
9. Kellenberg (On the cusp)
The Firebirds handed St. Anthony’s its first loss to an NSCHSAA opponent since 2021. Wins over Massapequa and East Islip added to a rigorous non-league schedule. Molly Silecchia was named the NSCHSAA Player of the Year to end her stellar career at Kellenberg (17-10).
10. Kings Park (8)
Emma Lombardi and Katherine Krayewski provided the pop in the lineup, and the rise of freshman pitcher Stella Roosa propelled Kings Park (18-5) to the Suffolk Class A final for the second straight year.
