The New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports has officially recognized two Section 9 softball coaches, Alyssa Valente and Les Funk, as Coaches of the Year. This prestigious accolade celebrates their exceptional leadership and success during the recent season. Concurrently, the organization announced the comprehensive all-state player selections, highlighting the standout athletic achievements across all competitive classes for the 2026 season from the Mid-Hudson area.
Alyssa Valente, leading the Pine Bush team, secured a co-coach award in Class A. Under her guidance, Pine Bush not only clinched a Section 9 title but also advanced to become a state finalist, demonstrating remarkable prowess throughout their season. Similarly, Les Funk, from Pine Plains, was honored as Coach of the Year in Class C. His team also achieved a Section 9 championship and performed admirably as state semifinalists, underscoring the high caliber of coaching in the region.
The all-state teams feature a roster of gifted athletes who have distinguished themselves through their performances. In Class AAA, Pine Bush's Senior Pitcher Avery Ogden earned a spot on the First Team. Newburgh's Junior Center Fielder Parker Mullarkey was named to the Second Team, while Monroe-Woodbury's Junior Shortstop/Third Baseman Callie Exarchakis received Fourth Team honors. Fifth Team selections included Paige Hotle, Senior Catcher from Roy C. Ketcham-1, and Senior Utility player Payton Croce from Pine Bush, showcasing the depth of talent.
For Class AA, Goshen's Sophomore Pitcher/Outfielder Addison Freiberger made the Second Team. Valley Central's Senior Pitcher Emily Sharpe was a Third Team pick, and Minisink Valley's Senior Third Baseman Hannah Ringus secured a spot on the Fourth Team. These selections reflect the competitive spirit and skill present in this division.
Class A saw Marlboro's Junior Pitcher Sam Maleck on the Second Team, Saugerties' Junior Shortstop Alana Mower on the Fourth Team, and Marlboro's Senior Second Baseman Taylor Castellani on the Fifth Team. In Class B, Spackenkill's Senior Pitcher/Shortstop Cadie Hanaburgh was a Second Team selection. Haldane-1's Freshman Pitcher Allegra Clementson and Sullivan West's Junior Shortstop Kerstin Knapp were both named to the Third Team.
The Class C all-state team included two players from Pine Plains on the First Team: Sophomore Pitcher/First Baseman Talia Durant and Sophomore Catcher Anna Essery. John S. Burke Catholic's Seventh-grade Pitcher Sophia Ortiz was recognized on the Fourth Team. Notably, no players were selected for the All-State Class D team this year, indicating a potential area for growth in future seasons.
This comprehensive list of honored coaches and athletes underscores the dedication and hard work prevalent in high school softball across New York State, promising an exciting future for the sport.
