Newsday's top 10 softball catchers to watch this spring
From left: Delaney Schleider, Maeve Schiereck and Alyssa Weigand.
The best softball teams tend to have a dominant pitcher, but all hurlers rely on their catchers, squatting 43 feet in front of them.
Catchers tend to be among the smartest players on the field, with most serving as the leader of the infield.
Here are Newsday’s top 10 catchers to watch this spring, listed in alphabetical order:
Joanna Byrne, Oceanside, Jr.
Byrne played leftfield last year but will move behind the dish for the Sailors. She hit .402 with 21 RBIs and 20 runs scored for to the Nassau Class AAA runners-up. Coach Carlo Quagliata praised her “feel for the game” behind the plate. “She understands every situation," he said. "She’s the loudest one on the field defensively. She’s attentive on every single play, no matter where the ball is hit. She’s the quarterback of our defense.”
Gabrielle Krayewski, Smithtown West, Soph.
Krayewski was a key piece in the Bulls’ run to the Suffolk AA final, hitting .455 with 22 RBIs. Even as a freshman, she displayed a veteran presence behind the plate. She posted a .987 fielding percentage and threw out 28% of stealing baserunners. “Gabrielle brings a strong softball IQ and steady leadership to the field,” coach Michael Forman said. “At the plate, she came up clutch in multiple situations to help us to the county championship game.”
Emma Lombardi, Kings Park, Sr.
Lombardi, a three-year captain, hit .350 with a .395 OBP and a .883 OPS to help Kings Park to the Suffolk Class A final. Coach Nicole Bullis called Lombardi “the heart” of their team and credited her consistency behind the plate. A vocal leader, Lombardi takes charge in the field. “She has a deep understanding of the game, great situational awareness," Bullis said, "and a strong ability to make quick decisions under pressure.”
Delaney Mathes, Sachem North, Jr.
Mathes’ breakout season propelled Sachem North’s run to the Suffolk AAA finals. The Stony Brook commit batted .682 with three homers and served as a brick wall behind the plate. “Delaney anchors the lineup in the cleanup spot, hits with power and thrives in pressure RBI situations,” coach Ken Sasso said. “She is a solid receiver that pitchers like to throw to, with a quick release on pickoffs and steals.”
Lianna Mills, Central Islip, Sr.
Mills hit .557 with 28 RBIs to help Central Islip to its first playoff appearance since 2021. The Adelphi commit was the League I Defensive Player of the Year. Coach Mike Stefanowicz called the six-year starter a “true field general" and said "her quick feet and amazingly strong arm keep many baserunners from attempting to take a base. Lianna also has a very strong bat with a great approach at the plate.”
Julianna Plunkett, Mineola, Sr.
The East Stroudsburg commit hit .351 and struck out just three times for the Nassau Class A champions. Coach Monique Wink lauded Plunkett’s composure, saying she constantly delivers in high-pressure situations. “Over the past five years," Wink said, "she has grown into a tremendous commander of the infield whose steady presence sets the tone for our entire team.”
Maeve Schiereck, Massapequa, Sr.
The Stony Brook commit hit .482 with a 1.488 OPS, eight home runs, 34 RBIs and 32 runs scored for the state Class AAA runners-up. She was named the Nassau Player of the Year by the coaches. “She can call the game with her pitchers with little guidance from her coaches,” coach Christina Castellani said. “She reads batters well and can effectively communicate with myself and her pitchers on altering our strategies for each opponent.”
Delaney Schleider, Miller Place, Jr.
Schleider is a five-year starter who was an integral part of the Panthers’ run to the Class A state title. She batted .539 with a 1.384 OPS, 41 RBIs and 33 runs. Coach Matt Timmons said she has called every pitch for Miller Place since she was a seventh-grader. “Both pitchers that she called games for the last four years said that they never shook Delaney’s signs off,” Timmons said. “She’s the best blocker, the best thrower. And she hits the ball harder than anyone I’ve ever met.”
Brooke Springsteen, Eastport-South Manor, Jr.
The East Stroudsburg commit hit .603 with 40 runs scored. Coach Laura Ward called her a disciplined power hitter with good speed. Springsteen’s strong arm and quick footwork helped her win the League V Defensive Player of the Year Award. “She serves as an emotional anchor for the team,” Ward said. “Having a catcher with her level of talent and maturity is like having an extra coach on the field.”
Alyssa Weigand, Glen Cove, Sr.
Weigand will likely play the infield to start the season, as she recovers from a torn ACL she suffered last May. Coach Kimberly Del Rosso expects the Trinity College commit, who hit .446 with four home runs for the Nassau Class AA champions, to return to her natural position before the postseason. “She has a quick release," Del Rosso said. "She has a very high percentage of runners thrown out at second base. She’s just an all-around leader on the field.”
Matt Lindsay is a high school sports reporter who joined Newsday in 2022 after graduating from Stony Brook University.
