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NYSSCOGS New York State High School Softball Hall of Fame
Class of 2025
 
Information for immediate release on 08-01-24
 
The New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports recently concluded voting for the Class of 2025 for the NYSSCOGS New York State High School Softball Hall of Fame. A committee of more than two dozen people elected 14 people to what will be NYSSCOGS' 14th Hall of Fame Class.
 
The Class of 2025 members are
Section I's Lisa Ciavardini (Brewster)
Section II's Dolores D'Ambrosi (Columbia) and Isabella DeChiaro (Cohoes)
Section IV's Andrew Legare (Elmira Gazette), Bill Waldron (Windsor), and Nikki Matisi (Union-Endicott),
Section V's Jill Regan (Wellsville)
Section VI's Jennifer Sansano (Clarence)
Section VIII's Carmine Verde (Long Beach)
Section IX's Sarah Maida (Newburgh Free Academy)
Section X's Susan Reid (Massena)
Section XI's Taylor McGowan (Bay Shore)
CHSAA's Ken Conrade (Kellenberg)
PSAL's Victoria McFarland (Tottenville).
 
The induction day ceremony will be held at the Mudville sports complex at 3350 Route 28, Herkimer, New York, at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025. The event is free and open to the public.
 
About the inductees
 
D'Ambrosi, a Columbia High School shortstop and catcher, graduated in 1983. She was a power hitter who batted around .650 and played college ball at UMass and HVCC.
 
Reid, a pitcher at Massena High School, graduated in 1991. Her team had two state runner-up finishes, she was All-State twice and for five years played on the varsity team. Reid was league MVP four times and went to college at Ithaca.
 
Conrade still coaches at Kellenberg Memorial High School. He began in 1995 and has a 437-237-1 career record with three Catholic state titles and one state coach of the year award to his credit. He has also been a contributor on the state rankings and All-State committees for more than 17 years.
 
Verde, coach at Long Beach High School since 1988, has a 469-302-2 career record (winningest in Section VIII), one state title and he has coached his teams to two state final fours as well as seven sectional titles and three sectional runner-up finishes. Verde has also been a contributor to the state rankings and All-State committees for 17 years.
 
Waldron, who coached at Windsor High School from 2006-2024, retired with a 302-99-1 career record. He amassed three state titles, two state runner-up finishes, six final four appearances, four state coach of the year awards, seven section titles and numerous sectional runner-up finishes. 
 
McGowan, a pitcher who graduated from Bay Shore High School in 2011, was named All-State 6th team, 2nd team and 1st team. She went to Rollins College.
 
Maida, a pitcher, graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1996. She was All-State 5th team, 1st team and 1st team in her career. Maida played at the University of Albany. 
 
Sansano, a pitcher at Clarence High School, graduated in the Class of 2010. She was All-State 2nd team twice and first team once. She played college ball at St. Bonaventure.
 
Regan, graduated from Wellsville High School in 1997 where she played first base and pitched. She was All-State 1st team and 2nd team, was state player of the year once and her teams were 87-4 in her career. Regan went to college George Mason where she played four years of basketball then walked onto the softball team for one year after her basketball career ended.

Legare, one of the few people elected to the HOF as a contributor, has covered softball at the Elmira Star-Gazette for more than 30 years and has been a consistent and outstanding supporter of girls softball. Has received numerous awards for journalism.

Matisi, a pitcher at Union-Endicott High School, graduated in 2001. She was named All-State first team twice and second team once. She went to college at American International.

DeChiaro, a pitcher at Cohoes High School, graduated in 2017. She was named All-State 2nd team once and 1st team three times. She played college ball at Siena.  

Ciavardini was a pitcher at Brewster High School when she graduated from in 1997. She was named All-State 5th team, 3rd team then 1st team twice. She played college ball at Hofstra.

McFarland, a speedy center fielder at Tottenville High School, graduated in 2011. She was named 1st Team in 2011 and 2nd Team in 2010 and played college ball at the University of Albany.
 
NYSSCOGS New York State High School Softball Hall of Fame
Class of 2024
 
Section   Name   School/Organization
 
2 - Rachel Quackenbush (Hoosick Falls)
2 - Coach Gary Holtz (Columbia and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake)
3 - Coach/Contributor John Cunningham (New Hartford)
3 - Kathy Bachmann Wilmot (Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) *
4 - Sophia Pappas (Susquehanna Valley)
4 - Marci Forbidussi Rondeau (Union-Endicott)
4 - Teresa McKinney (Binghamton Seton) *
5 - Coach/Contributor Gary Meyers (Greece Arcadia)
6 - Christine Keleher (Kenmore West)
6 - Michelle Fridey Switzer (Williamsville South)
8 - Beth Hein Seder (MacArthur)
11 - Coach Lou Reale (Bayport-Blue Point and East Hampton)
11 - Lindsay Taylor (Kings Park)
C -  Kelsey Carr (Archbishop Molloy)
* - Veterans Category electee
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Class of 2023 Members
Section   Name   School/Organization
 
1 - Jessica Calvini (Rye Neck HS)
2 - Coach Laurie Ciuffetelli (South Glens Falls HS)
2 - Coach John Conway (Duanesburg HS)
2 - Kayla Doty (Chatham HS)
2 - Hunter Levesque (Troy HS)
2 - Calista Phippen (Ichabod Crane HS)
3 - Jennifer Hapanowicz (Whitesboro HS and C-NS HS)
4 - Bernadette "Bunny" Clarke McGovern (Johnson City HS)
4 - Olivia May (Elmira Notre Dame HS)
4 - Contributor Oneonta Daily Star (Dean Russin and Rob Centorani)
4 - Regina Speicher (Binghamton Seton HS) 
4 - Michaela Transue (Chenango Forks HS)
5 - Coach Shelly Collins (Victor HS)
6 - Coach Matt Chimera (Kenmore West HS)
11 - Danielle Henderson (Commack HS)
11 - Krystle Scala (Patchogue-Medford HS)
11 - Ellen "Frankie" Spruce (Sayville HS)
PSAL - Melissa Valencia (Port Richmond HS)

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NYSSCOGS New York State High School Softball Hall of Fame - Class of 2022
Section  Name  School
1  -  Christia Mohan-Besko (Arlington High School)
1  -  Coach/Contributor Tony Toronto  (North Rockland High School and Nanuet High School)
2  -  Anna Arceneaux (Mechanicville High School)
2  -  Marissa Carpenter (South Glens Falls High School)
2  -  Robyn West (Saratoga High School)
3  -  Coach Nick Spataro (Liverpool High School)
4  -  Char Dodd (Susquehanna Valley High School)
4  -  Coach Dave Ligeikis (Binghamton Seton Catholic High School)
4  -  Paige Rauch (Windsor High School and Binghamton High School) 
4  -  Coach/Contributor Jim Testa (Union-Endicott High School) 
5  -  Hannah Anderson.(Caledonia-Mumford High School)
5  -  Coach Stan Harris (Bolivar-Richburg High School)
5  -  Bridgette Newman (Hilton High School)
6  -  Corinn Genovese  (Williamsville North High School)
8  -  Sarah Cornell (Westbury - WT Clarke High School)
9  -  Marissa Diescher (Livingston Manor High School)
11 - Jaime Grillo (Brentwood High School)
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NYS High School Softball Class of 2021 Hall of Fame

 

Coach Joan Spedafino, Rye Neck HS (Section 1)

Coach Don Arceneaux, Mechanicville  HS (Section 2)
Alicia Hansen, Shortstop, Liverpool HS (Section 3) 

Bridget Baxter, 2B/Pitcher, Binghamton HS (Section 4)

Coach Cindy Bostelman, Afton HS (Section 4)
Shelly Burrell, Shortstop, Owego HS (Section 4)
Coach Steve Weber, Elmira Notre Dame HS (Section 4)
Nicole Osovski, Pitcher, Maine-Endwell HS (Section 4)
Kristin Waldron, Catcher, Windsor HS (Section 4)
Brandice Balschmiter, Pitcher, Newark HS (Section 5)
Kim Zagajeski, Pitcher, Hicksville HS (Section 8)
Erika Sullivan, Pitcher, Bay Shore HS (Section 11)
Courtney Syrett, Catcher, Bay Shore HS (Section 11)
Krista King, 2B, Kellenberg HS (CHSAA)

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Class of 2020

 

Tammy Wray – Shortstop, Somers HS

Lisa Buckley – Catcher, Pelham HS 

Kaitlyn O’Flynn – Pitcher, Pearl River HS

Mary Beth Dombrowski - Shortstop, Bethlehem HS

Carol Welch, Catcher, East Syracuse-Minoa HS

Margaret Yerdon, Pitcher/Infielder, Sandy Creek HS

Coach/Contributor Mike McCrobie, Oswego HS

Peg Bush, Outfield - Deposit HS

Amy Vredenburgh - Catcher, Chenango Forks HS

Quincy Lewis, Pitcher, Corning HS

Julia DiMartino, Pitcher, Northstar Christian HS and Brockport HS

Coach Gerry Gentner, Williamsville South HS

Caitlin Attfield, Shortstop, Niagara-Wheatfield HS

Coach/Contributor Dave Miller, Smithtown West HS

Donna Thompson, Smithtown East HS

Melissa Byrne, Pitcher, Connetquot HS

Diana Consolmagno, Third-Base/Shortstop, St. Joseph by the Sea HS

 

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Class of 2019

Coach James Seeley (Glen Falls HS, Hoosic Valley HS, and Bolton HS - Section 2 and 7
Kristin Gigliotti (New Hartford High School) - Section 3
Danielle Koltz (Chenango Valley High School) - Section 4
Emily Senko (Elmira Free Academy) - Section 4 
Courtney Case (Pittsford Mendon  High School) - Section 5
Aidan Falk (Our Lady of Mercy High School) - Section 5
Mandy Galas (Tonawanda High School) - Section 6
Kristen Brown (MacArthur High School) - Section 8
Coach/Contributor Tom Anziano (Connetquot High School) - Section 11
Coach Cathy Morano (Tottenville High School) - PSAL
Brittany Stratton (Tottenville High School) - PSAL

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Class of 2018

Jen Mineau (Hoosic Valley High School) - Section 2
Megan Evans (Elmira Notre Dame High School) - Section 4
Kerry Lewis (Commack North High School) - Section 11
Heather McAdam (Long Beach High School) - Section 8 
Tara Ulrich (Clarkstown South High School) - Section 1
Chelsea Plimpton (Williamsville South High School) - Section 6
Jenna Vanacore (Holy Trinity High School) - CHSAA
Brittany Grage (Pittsford Mendon High School) - Section 5
Carolynn Sloat (Shenendehowa High School) - Section 2
Jen Satriale (Eastchester High School) - Section 1
Michelle Prong (Victor High School) - Section 5
Kelley Russell (Harpursville High School) - Section 4
Sally Wood (Kenmore East High School) - Section 6 
Coach Michele Wiggins (Malone/Franklin Academy) - Section 10
Coach/Contributor Sandy Strauss (Valley Central High School) - Section 9

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Class of 2017
 
Coach Mike Carlacci                                      Section 1                         Pearl River High School
Micah Truax                                                   Section 2                         South Glens Falls High School
WMCR Radio                                                 Section 3                         Contributor
                                                 announcers Don Ackerman, Jerry DeBalso, and Dick Spadafora
Ann Magur                                                     Section 4                         Union-Endicott High School
Beckah Wiggins                                             Section 4                         Susquehanna Valley High School
Jessie Winans                                                Section 4                         Afton High School
Stacy Kuwik                                                   Section 5                         Fairport High School
Therese DeLuca                                            Section 6                         Williamsville East High School
Shelly Lis                                                       Section 6                         North Tonawanda High School
Jackie Pasquerella                                        Section 11                       Bay Shore High School
Coach Susan Cassidy                                   CHSAA                           Hicksville Holy Trinity High School

Carla Buonviaggio                                         CHSAA                           St. Joseph by the Sea High School

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New York State High School Softball Hall of Fame - Class of 2016
 
Name - State Section - (High School)
 
Laura Sweeney-Johnson Section 1 (John Jay [East Fishkill] High School)
Linda Soto-Vazquez
 Section 1 (North Rockland High School)
Abby Arceneaux      
 Section 2 (Mechanicville High School)
Amanda Morin                  
 Section 2 (South Glens Falls High School)
Jessica Phillips            
 Section 3 (Cicero North Syracuse High School)
Emily Ling Cotcamp    
 Section 4 (Chenango Valley High School)
Barb Marean                  
 Section 4 (Maine Endwell High School)
Rachael Wiggins             
 Section 4 (Susquehanna Valley High School)
Veronica Maher          
 Section 5 (Warsaw High School)
Kim Kaul            
 Section 6 (West Seneca West High School)
Katie Miranto             
 Section 6 (North Tonawanda High School)
Tracey Tyler Wells         
 Section 8 (MacArthur High School)
Samantha DeMartine      
 Section 9 (Marlboro High School)
Deanna Dovak           
 Section 11 (Connetquot High School)
Karin Muller Crowley      
 PSAL

(Curtis High School - Staten Island)

 

 

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NYSHSHOF Class of 2015
 
Name - State Section - (High School)
Cassie Reilly-Boccia    Section 1          (Yorktown High School)
Christine Nalley            Section 2         (Columbia High School)
Coach Cathy Stanilka   Section 2        (Lake George High School)
Kelly Buckley                Section 4        (Horseheads High School)
Tara McGoff                 Section 4        (Chenango Valley High School)
Jordan Ingalls               Section 5        (Bolivar-Richburg High School)
Sue O'Callaghan          Section 6        (Niagara Falls High School)
Meg Thompson            Section 6        (Wilson High School)
Breanne Nasti              Section 8        (Baldwin High School)
Brandey Weed             Section 9        (Valley Central High School)
Courtney Weed            Section 9        (Valley Central High School)
Missy West                  Section 10      (Franklin Academy - Malone)
Lauren Bettinelli           Section 11      (Bay Shore High School)
Karen Dromerhauser   Section 11      (Bay Shore High School)
Olivia Galati                 CHSAA           (St. John the Baptist High School - Long Island)
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NYSHSSHOF Class of 2014
 
Name-Section-School
 
Jennifer Fisher - Section 1 - Arlington High School
Terri Huggins - Section 1 & 9 - FDR Hyde Park High School
Wendy Herm - Section 9 - Minisink Valley High School
Coach Eileen Troy - Section 2 - Greenwich High School
Colleen Yurewitch-Lemieux - Section 2 - Hoosick Falls High School 
Coach Dale Cook - Section 4 - Susquehanna Valley High School
Coach Gary Pratt - Section 4 - Deposit High School
Jodi Dinga - Section 4 - Union Endicott High School
Linda Kelly - Section 4 - Binghamton High School
Jennifer Doolittle - Section 4 - Chenango Forks High School
Coach Dixie Butler - Section 5 - Brockport High School
Katie Robertson - Section 5 -  Brockport High School
Pam Amabile - Section 6 - Frontier High School
Coach Pete Scott - Section 6 - Depew High School
Kathy DelGais-Butler - Section 8 - Wantagh High School 
Coach Jim McGowan - Section 11 - Bay Shore High School
Coach Karen Andreone - CHSAA - Our Lady of Mercy High School (Syosset)
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Class of 2013

Dan Pietrafesa - Contributor - High School Sports Editor, Poughkeepsie Journal (Sections 1 & 9)
Coach Thomas "Skip" Walsh - Former Coach - Eastchester High School (Section 1)
Coach Gretchen Stark - Former Coach - Fort Ann High School (Section 2)
Coach Ron Henry - Former Coach - Harpursville High School (Section 4)
Coach Warren Conklin - Former Coach - Horseheads High School (Section 4)
Coach Tom Murphy - Former Coach - North Tonawanda High School (Section 6)
Contributor - Staten Island Advance (PSAL/CHSAA)
Maddy Coon – Horace Greeley High School (Section 1)
Vicki Fendick - Chenango Forks High School (Section 4)
Christina Kowalski - Horseheads High School (Section 4)
Sara Surosky - Horseheads High School (Section 4)
Christina DePersis – Union-Endicott High School (Section 4)
Kim Frizzell - North Tonawanda High School (Section 6)
Crystal Boyd – East Meadow High School (Section 8)
U.S. Army Major Carolyn Copcutt - Minisink Valley High School (Section 9)
Vickie Kennedy - Comsewogue High School (Section 11)
Shannon Payne - Port Richmond High School (PSAL)
Coleen Jamison - Syosset Our Lady of Mercy (CHSAA)
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Class of 2012

 

Tara DiMaggio - John Jay East Fishkill-1

Bonnie Bell- Eastchester-1

Joanne Van Woert - Bethlehem-2

Contributor Aileen Durrant - Section 2

Coach Pat McDougal - Sandy Creek-3 

Doreen Denmon - Union-Endicott-4

Holly Aprile -  Afton-4

Barb Cook - Susquehanna Valley-4

Jennifer Markert -  Chenango Forks-4

Julie Stashko -  Binghamton Seton-4

Coach/Contributor Ron Decosse - Chenango Forks-4 

Contributor Ron Grotke - Section 4

Jessica Regan -  Wellsville-5

Coach/Contributor Larry Lash - Wilson/North Tonawanda/Royalton-Hartland/Lewiston-Porter-6

Trinette Cossa -  Valley Central-9

Lauren Fischetti -  Bay Shore-11

Kim Ryan -  Bay Shore-11

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