Not much can boost a softball team quite like an ace pitcher.
Section V boasts quality arms in each of its playoff classifications. They’ll be on display when sectional tournaments begin on May 20.
With so much local talent in the pitcher’s circle, we asked coaches across Section V which arms they’re focused on come playoff time. Below is a list of notable local pitchers entering the playoffs.
Class AAA
Kendall Buttles, freshman, Rush-Henrietta: R-H will begin its defense of its Section V title with a new arm in the pitcher’s circle. Despite Buttles’ age, the Aquinas transfer brings plenty of experience, including more than 400 career strikeouts.
Other notables: Fairport, despite its losing record, defeated R-H twice this year. Lucy Greco anchors the Red Raiders’ pitching.
Class AA
Zara Vattimo, senior, Penfield: Offense is Penfield’s biggest strength. Vattimo, however, provides consistency for the Patriots, who will likely be seeded first in Class AA1. “(Vattimo) spins the ball so well,” one coach said. “She catches batters by surprise with her excellent command of the ball.”
Kyara Murphy, senior, Webster Schroeder: Murphy boasts plenty of big-game experience as the Warriors seek their fourth title since 2021. Freshman Octavia Geglia provides a quality alternative.
Jalissa Crittenden, senior, Eastridge: One of 10 seniors on a star-studded roster, she’s a key reason why the Lancers will be favored in Class AA2, and why Eastridge was one of five unbeaten Section V teams as of May 15.
Other notables: One coach noted the parity amongst Class AA arms, saying, “Whoever is on that day is on.” Another called the classification “wide open.” Watch for Webster Thomas’ Maddie Getman and Hilton’s Bianco Fiorino in AA1, and for Pittsford Mendon’s Quinn Sargent and Brockport’s Hannah Carpenter in AA2.
Class A
Leah Sperry, junior, Mercy: Sperry provides Mercy with an advantage in perhaps Section V’s most jumbled classification. She recently passed 400 career strikeouts.
Jade Fowler, junior, Honeoye Falls-Lima: Fowler struck out 15 batters in a May 4 shutout against Batavia, a matchup of two top Class A contenders.
Other notables: Watch for Batavia junior Arianna Almekinder, who leads a perennially tough Blue Devils group. One coach identified Geneva freshman Carmela Mazzocchi as a “sleeper” in Class A.
Class B
Ava Senka, sophomore, Wayland-Cohocton: Several Section V coaches mentioned Senka’s efficiency. She and junior Molly Robbins provide a one-two punch for unbeaten Way-Coh, which will likely be seeded first in Class B1. The Eagles own wins over Fairport and Honeoye Falls-Lima.
Haley Young, senior, Mynderse: Like Way-Coh in B1, Mynderse sat undefeated atop Class B2. Young’s leadership – shown through her consistently focused and purposeful approach to pitching – is a major factor.
Jessie Crye, senior, Avon: Numerous coaches noted Crye as one of, if not the, top arms in Section V. Boasting more than 1,000 career strikeouts, she’ll make Avon a consistently difficult playoff out in Class B2. “We don’t see (Division I) pitchers in our league too often but (Crye) is one and she is legit,” one coach said. “Dominant stuff with four pitches she can throw for strikes. Her control is excellent, so she is usually ahead in the count, which gives her an even bigger advantage.”
Lydia McKay, senior, Marion/Gananda: It hasn’t been easy to keep pace with Mynderse in Class B2, but McKay has helped M/G do so. She reached 500 career strikeouts 25 days after recording her 400th.
Kennedy Perry, junior, Wellsville: Don’t forget about the defending Class B2 champs. Perry, a returning second team All Greater Rochester pick, will ensure their contention. Brynn Hallock provides another pitching option.
Bryar Biracree, junior, LeRoy: Crye is not the Livingston Conference’s only standout pitcher. “(Biracree) does a great job of keeping you off balance and has good spin on the ball,” one coach noted. She and the Oatkan Knights join Avon, Mynderse and more in a loaded B2 bracket.
Other notables: Watch for Waterloo’s Gwen Dilorio, who posted 11 strikeouts against Mynderse. Coaches also noted Attica’s Hailey Mills and North Rose-Wolcott’s Bella Youells. Don’t forget about Gabby Shroyer and Bath-Haverling, last year’s Section V champion and NYSPHSAA runner-up.
Class C
Addie McDonald, sophomore, Geneseo: Contending in both Class C1 and the LCAA has proved difficult for all in 2026. McDonald has enabled Geneseo to do both. She recently surpassed 500 career strikeouts and makes the Blue Devils dangerous despite their sub-.500 record.
Kylee Whiting, sophomore, Bolivar-Richburg: Whiting boasts plenty of playoff experience for the reigning Class C2 champs, who have won four sectional titles in the past five seasons. She’s another returning second team All Greater Rochester selection.
Grace Beach, junior, Caledonia-Mumford: While some of her LCAA peers thrive on power, Beach relies on finesse. She limits walks, trusts the movement of her pitches and works ahead in the count. Kylie Padlick-Field provides a quality alternative for Cal-Mum in Class C2, as proven by her May 12 no-hitter against Geneseo in her first varsity start.
Other notables: Letchworth’s Kendall Jines and Lyons’ Keira Weber make this another deep classification. Dundee/Bradford, with senior duo Morgan Sutryk and Addie Tham, is undefeated atop the Class C1 standings. Defending NYSPHSAA champion Bloomfield looms in C2.
Class D
Lola Rivera, junior, Northstar Christian: Noted for her competitiveness, Rivera shattered the school record of 688 career strikeouts while leading Northstar to an unbeaten start in Class D1.
Savannah Durham, sophomore, Oakfield-Alabama: Double-digit strikeout performances were common for Durham this season. Allison Harnkness provides an alternative option for O-A, whose descent from Class C2 makes the D1 field much deeper.
Arnie Sturtevant, sophomore, Lyndonville: Sturtevant limited O-A to four hits in a May 8 shutout. Noted by coaches for her movement and precision, she and the Tigers will likely be favored in Class D2.
Honorable mentions: Fillmore junior Mylee Miller returns after leading the Eagles to last year’s Class D title, their first. Section V split the classification into two brackets this spring. Fillmore should contend in D1 while sophomore duo Meyah Putnam and Peyton Hopkins make Avoca/Prattsburgh a threat in D2.
Contact Jeff Uveino at juveino@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @realjuveino and on Instagram @jeffusports.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: We asked Section V softball coaches which pitchers to watch
in playoffs
Reporting by Jeff Uveino, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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