Nine 18u Gold players named to newsday's top 100
Huntington, NY – Newsday announced its annual list of the top 100 Long Island softball players for the 2024 season on Wednesday. The list included nine 18U Gold Players.
Josie Alfano (2025 – Mount Sinai, NY), Catcher
Alfano hit five home runs and eight doubles as a sophomore. The Stony Brook commit had a .528 average and slugged .847.
Alex Audia (2025 – Mount Sinai, NY), Pitcher/Infielder
Audia hit three home runs, slugged .589 and had a 1.129 OPS. The junior will be Mt. Sinai’s top pitcher this season.
Emily Lopez (2025 – Miller Place, NY) First Base
Lopez flashes a strong glove at first base. The junior hit .609 with a .653 OBP, scored 27 runs and drove in 23.
Kayla O’Boyle (2024 – Commack, NY) Pitcher
A Newsday All-Long Island first team selection, O’Boyle set a Commack record with 253 strikeouts. The Southern New Hampshire commit pitched to a 1.45 ERA and earned Suffolk Large School Pitcher of the Year honors.
Lauren O’Brien (2024 – Massapequa, NY) Outfielder
The Palm Beach Atlantic commit hit .371, had a .425 OBP, and slugged .567. The senior scored 31 runs, drove in 18 and stole 15 bases.
Julia Parise (2024 – East Meadow, NY) Pitcher
The Southern New Hampshire commit hit .459 with 19 RBIs and four home runs. Parise had a 1.61 ERA and struck out 175 over 138 innings and was named to Newsday’s All-Long Island first team.
Haley Trapani (2025 – Seaford, NY) Outfielder
The Newsday All-Island second team selection hit .440 with five home runs, 24 RBIs and 34 runs for the Nassau Class A champions, MacArthur.
Laney Vomero (2025 – Miller Place, NY) Shortstop
Vomero hit .535 with 23 RBIs, 30 runs and 12 extra-base hits as a freshman.
Ava Zicchinelli (2025 – Miller Place, NY) Pitcher/Outfielder
Zicchinelli pitched to a 1.46 ERA and 0.87 WHIP with 164 strikeouts to earn Suffolk Small Schools Pitcher of the Year honors. The Newsday All-Long Island second-team selection batted .451 and scored 30 runs.
Team Beast 18U Gold opens the summer season at the 2024 Super 40 & Elite College Showcase, June 1-2 in Carteret, NJ.
March 28, 2024
18U premier's tompkins commits to east Stroudsburg university
18U Gold's burke commits to adelphi university
18U Gold's giordano commits to Molloy university
18U premier's nesturrick commits to queens college
18U premier's rumore commits to hunter college
18U Gold's frawley commits to Manhattanville university
Huntington, NY - Alyssa Muschenick, Team Beast 18U Gold/Islip High School (Islip, NY) has committed to Division III Purchase College , where she will play for Head Coach, Mark Sergio . Purchase College competes in the Skyline Conference . Director of Softball Operations and 18U Gold Head Coach, Jamie Apicella commented on Muschenick’s commitment announcement: "Alyssa joined Team Beast over a year ago with her goal of taking her talents to the college level. Alyssa brought to Team Beast great energy and the willingness to do anything asked of her. She is a second baseman by trade, but because she had some experience behind the plate, at Islip High School, she has helped out with depth at the catching position. A true-blue collar player with a team first attitude. Initially, Alyssa was rostered on our 16U Gold team but was quickly elevated to our 18U Gold roster. She's a very adaptable player that is always in fast twitch mode. Never gets cheated at the plate and is always in her feet. Great energy to be around and has the ability to lift the spirits of her teammates all the time. Enjoys playing the game and is always ready to compete. Versatile athlete that offers a lot to a college lineup. Contact hitter that is always on base. Very aggressive player on the defensive side of the ball as well. Has a high IQ and is a leader on her teams, demonstrating that her team comes before oneself. Between playing for Islip High School, arguably one of the most competitive high schools on Long Island in the sport of softball, and Team Beast 18U Gold, Alyssa will be ready to compete and make an immediate impact at Purchase College. Her development, love and passion for the game was guided by her former Head Coach at Islip High School, the late and legendary Dennis McSweeney. We know he would be very proud of Alyssa and her accomplishments. Alyssa is also an excellent student and is going to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice or Business at Purchase College, with her career goal working in law enforcement. Congratulations to Alyssa and her family on this outstanding accomplishment. We are so proud and happy for you and know you have a bright future ahead of you. We are excited to follow your career at Purchase College!! " Team Beast 18U Gold completed the fall season at the TNT Last Look Fall Showcase Classic last month. The team will begin winter training in early January 2026.
18U gold releases 2025 fall showcase schedule
18U Premier announces 2025 fall showcase schedule
Huntington, NY - Taylor Aschettino, Team Beast 18U Gold/Rocky Point High School (Miller Place, NY) has committed to Division III Western Connecticut State University , where she will play for long time Head Coach, Heather Stone . West Conn competes in the Little East Conference where they have seen success under Coach Stone. The Wolves have made 5 NCAA appearances over the last 20 years with LEC titles in 2013 and 2016. Over those 20 years, Coach Stone has eclipsed 400 wins and is always competing for an LEC title and a chance to advance to NCAA regional play. Director of Softball Operations and 18U Gold Head Coach, Jamie Apicella commented on Aschettino’s commitment announcement: "Taylor came to us just about a year ago looking for a change of scenery and new challenge. Surrounded by some of the best talent on Long Island, Taylor hit the ground running. She was like a sponge learning from her coaches and learning from her peers. Eager to take her game to the next level, she was all in and committed to fitting in right away. Taylor is her hardest critic. Always chasing perfection and wanting to do her best. That trait has fit right in with her peers at Beast and her players gained a respect for her almost immediately as well as the coaching staff. Taylor's is an infielder for our Gold Team. Mostly a second baseman but has also played a little third base. Taylor takes great angles at second base, has a strong throwing arm and excellent range and athleticism. Footwork and glove work continue to improve and is one of our players that's not afraid to leave her feet to keep the ball in the infield. In regard to her offense, this area has improved immensely since arriving to Beast. Taylor has committed to working on her swing and continues to gain more confidence. Had a strong HS season at the plate followed by a very productive summer season with some big hits in pressure situations. Arguably our most improved player over last year's seasons. We are excited to see what the upcoming months bring. Taylor is also an excellent student and is going to pursue a degree in Health Sciences at West Conn. She would eventually like to be a practicing Sonogram Technician.C ongratulations to Taylor and her family on this outstanding accomplishment. We are so proud and happy for you and know you have a bright future ahead of you. We are excited to follow your career at Western Connecticut State University. Go Wolves!!" Team Beast 18U Gold will begin training for the 2025 fall season early next month.
