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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
LaBelle High School pitcher Amanda Atun throws against Bishop Verot at Sam Fleishman Park Tuesday evening, April 12, 2005.
(Clint Krause, N-P Staff)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
LaBelle High School pitcher Amanda Atun throws against Bishop Verot at Sam Fleishman Park Tuesday evening, April 12, 2005.
(Clint Krause, N-P Staff)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
LaBelle High School junior Amanda Atun throws against Bishop Verot during the final inning of the District 3A-11 championship at Labelle Thursday night, April 28, 2005.
(CLINT KRAUSE/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Casey Coleman, 17, of Mariner High School and Amanda Atun, 17, of LaBelle High School are The News-Press 2005 All-Area Baseball and Softball Players of the Year.
(Stephen Hayford, N-P Staff)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Makenzie Buss, Cape Coral
(Amanda Inscore/news-press.com)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Annette Castaldo is the 2013 News-Press softball player of the year
(Amanda Inscore/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
As a junior at Bishop Verot High School, Melissa Geissler pitched 169 innings against 593 batters and struck out 179, walked 19 and had an ERA of .29. Melissa had 28 hits and was a team leader in doubles.
(CLINT KRAUSE/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Bishop Verot pitcher Melissa Geissler throws against a LaBelle during the FHSAA 3A-3 Regional Final in LaBelle on Saturday, May 15, 2004. Bishop Verot won, 6-1.
(TODD STUBING/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Keaunna Green, ECS softball
(Courtesy of ECS)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Evangelical Christian Sentinels infielder Keaunna Green (8) claps after scoring during the first inning of a game against the North Fort Myers Red Knights at Evangelical Christian School in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
(Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News and The News-Press/USA Today Network-Florida)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Evangelical Christian Sentinels infielder Keaunna Green (8) dives to catch a foul ball during the first inning of a game against the North Fort Myers Red Knights at Evangelical Christian School in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
(Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News and The News-Press/USA Today Network-Florida)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Evangelical Christian Sentinels infielder Keaunna Green (8) applies a tag to North Fort Myers Red Knights infielder Taylor Stewart (1) as she tries to reach third base during the fifth inning of a game at Evangelical Christian School in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
(Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News and The News-Press/USA Today Network-Florida)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Fort Myers’ Brittani Houghton throws a strike in the third inning against Naples during district championship Thursday, April 28, 2000.
(STEPHEN HAYFORD/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Brittani Houghton of Fort Myers High School gave up gymnastics for softball, not knowing anything about the sport, when she was 10 years old. Now six years later, in 2000, she’s striking out hitters on a regular basis. She also counts on teammate Stephanie D’Amelia’s skills as a catcher.
(STEPHEN HAYFORD/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Fort Myers High School Junior Brittani Houghton and Bishop Verot Senior Chandler Rose were The News-Press softball and baseball players of the year in 2000.
(DARRON R. SILVA/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Former Fort Myers High softball star Brittani Houghton was among eight members of the Lee County Athletic Conference Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024. With her is Fort Myers principal Christian Engelhart.
(Dan DeLuca)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
North Fort Myers player Abigail Hynes cheers on a runner after getting on second base. The North Fort Myers High School softball team hosted Parrish Community for a non-district matchup Tuesday, April 8, 2025.The Parrish Community Bulldogs won with a final score of 5-2.
(Ricardo Rolon / USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
North Fort Myers player Abigail Hynes gets a base hit. The North Fort Myers High School softball team hosted Parrish Community for a non-district matchup Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
(Ricardo Rolon / USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Abby Hynes, a softball player for North Fort Myers High School is a News-Press All-Area athlete.
(Andrew West/The News-Press/USA Today Netowrk)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Abby Hynes, a softball player for North Fort Myers High School is a News-Press All-Area athlete.
(Andrew West/The News-Press/USA Today Netowrk)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Ryan Iamurri celebrates with Lexi Farnella after scoring to put Naples up 7-0 in the sixth inning against Palmetto Ridge in the District 4A-12 softball championship Thursday April 23, 2009. Naples won 9-0.
(John David Emmett/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Naples’ Ryan Iamurri tags out Palmetto Ridge’s Stephanie Metzger in the third inning of the District 4A-12 softball championship Thursday April 23, 2009. Naples won 9-0.
(John David Emmett/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Ryan Iamurri drives in the first two runs for Naples against Pembroke Pines in the third inning of the Class 4A state softball championship at Plant City on Saturday May 10, 2008.
(JOHN DAVID EMMETT/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Ryan Iamurri of Alabama vs. Arkansas on March 27, 2011.
(Jeri Gulsby, UA Athletics)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Naples’ Cheyenne Jenks puts her glove out for the ball during the 5A-3 finals softball game against Hollywood South Broward, Friday , May 14, 2004. Naples Golden Eagles won over South Broward Lady Bulldogs 2-0.
(Daniel Barry/Special to The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Naples Cheyenne Jenks slides into third base just ahead of Dwyer’s Stephanie Waldrop tagging her out during the region 5A-4 quarter finalsoftball game between Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer and Naples High School, Thursday May 6, 2004 in Naples.
(Daniel Barry/Special to The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
FGCU’s Cheyenne Jenks makes a catch against Lipscomb during their game against Lipscomb on Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Florida Gulf Coast University.
(Amanda Inscore/news-press.com)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
FGCU’s Cheyenne Jenks throws out a Lipscomb runner on Saturday, April 25, 2009, at Florida Gulf Coast University.
(Amanda Inscore/news-press.com)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Fort Myers’ Julia Knowler (12) pitches the ball during the softball game between North Fort Myers and Fort Myers on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 in Fort Myers, Fla.
(Caitlyn Jordan/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Fort Myers’ Julia Knowler rounds the bases after she hit two run homer during a Class 5A regional final against Pembroke Pines Charter at Fort Myers High School on Friday May 14, 2021. Fort Myers won 3-2.
(Andrew West/The News-Press, The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Julia Knowler, Softball, Fort Myers, All Area Spring 2023
(Amanda Inscore/The News-Press USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Josey Mayer
(Jack Hardman/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
North Fort Myers’ Jackie Owen pitches against Riverdale in a softball game Wednesday March 5, 2008.
(JOHN DAVID EMMETT/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
North Fort Myers pitcher Jackie Owen was selected as The News-Press All Area Athlete for softball for her perfect game in April and leading her team to the state title game. Photographed at North Fort Myers on Friday June 5, 2009.
(John David Emmett/news-press.com)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
North Fort Myers pitcher Jackie Owen, left, and Lexi Schlotter are all smiles on the way to beating Fort Myers, 1-0, on Thursday, March 12, 2009.
(John David Emmett/news-press.com, The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Ida Baker High Schools’ Maddy Peres is the 2011 softball player of the year.
(Andrew West/News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Ida Baker High Schools’ Maddy Peres is the 2011 softball player of the year.
(Andrew West/News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Maddy Peres All Area girls softball player of the year. Ida Baker High School.
(Lindsay Terry/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
FGCU softball pitcher Kelly Powe, a Naples native, flings the ball toward Palm Beach Atlantic batter Lisa Devine during a game Saturday afternoon, Feb. 15, 2004.
(TERRY ALLEN WILLIAMS/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Riverdale senior Samantha Price is the All-Area Softball Athlete of the Year.
(TODD STUBING/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Riverdale senior Samantha Price is the All-Area Softball Athlete of the Year.
(TODD STUBING/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Riverdale’s Samantha Price hurls a pitch while third baseman Leslie Erwin, left, and first baseman Heather Roszell prepare defensively behind her. Price allowed only two hits in the Raiders’ 1-0 loss to Bradenton Bayshore May 6 in a Region 4A-4 quarterfinal in Bradenton on May 12, 2004.
(News Star photo by Alex Ackemann)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Estero pitcher Alex Salter is turning in another dominant season. In 35 2/3 innings, she’s allowed just 10 hits with 6 walks and 82 strikeouts. Estero is 15-0 and ranked sixth in the nation by both USA Today and MaxPreps.
(Submitted Photo)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Alex Salter, Estero, Softball, Spring All-Area Athletes
(Amanda Inscore/The News-Press USA TODAY NETWORK – FLORIDA)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Kris Schaus, a 2004 Barron Collier High graduate, led the Cougars to three state softball final four appearances. She was named the Naples Daily News Softball Player of the Year twice, including as a senior. At Princeton, Schaus helped the Tigers make three NCAA Tournament appearances, earning All-Ivy Conference honors four times.
(Todd Stubing/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Kris Schaus of Barron Collier High School and Adam Davis of Fort Myers High School, softball and baseball players of the year in 2002.
(STEPHEN HAYFORD/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Evangelical Christian School softball player Kylie Shaw hits during the District 2A-12 championship game against Seacrest. ECS won.
(Andrew West/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Kylie Shaw from Evangelical Christian School slides into home after hitting a homerun against Shorecrest Prep during a Class 2A Regional quarterfinal game at ECS on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. ECS won 16-0.
(Andrew West/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Kylie Shaw from Evangelical Christian School hits against Shorecrest Prep during a Class 2A Regional quarterfinal game at ECS on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. ECS won 16-0.
(Andrew West/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Community School of Naples pitcher Whitney Stites delivers a one-hit performance as the Seahawks breezed to an 8-1 victory over Central Florida Christian on May 8, 2002.
(Gary Coronado, Naples Daily News)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Jackie Traina, a 2010 Naples High graduate, was a four-time All-State performer, a four-time Naples Daily News Player of the Year, and a three-time All-American. In 2008, she was named the Gatorade Florida Player of the Year as Naples won a state title. Traina owns Naples’ career and single-season wins and strikeout records. At Alabama, she was a four-time All-American and in 2012, helped guide the Crimson Tide to its first-ever national softball title and was named SEC Pitcher of the Year.
(John David Emmett)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Naples High School pitcher Jaclyn Traina celebrates their victory in the Class 4A state softball championship against Pembroke Pines at Plant City on Saturday May 10, 2008. Naples beat previously undefeated and number-one-ranked Pembroke Pines, 5-2.
(JOHN DAVID EMMETT/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Naples High School pitcher Heidi Schumacher, right, and catcher Kara Weigle celebrate after their game against River Ridge went into extra innings on Thursday, May 20, 2004.
(AMANDA INSCORE/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
El Campo Star Heather Kight charges Naples Braves catcher Kara Weigle while being forced out Aug. 9, 2001.
(MARC BEAUDIN/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Evangelical Christian School softball player Zoe Yzaguirre #12 pitches during the District 2A-12 championship game against Seacrest. ECS won.
(Andrew West/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Zoe Yzaguirre from Evangelical Christian School is girls softball all-area for the News-Press/Naples Daily News.
(Andrew West/The News-Press)
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Top 25 SW FL high school softball players from the last 25 seasons
Zoe Yzaguirre, center, right, a pitcher for the Evangelical Christian School girls softball reacts after seeing her state championship ring during a ceremony with teammates on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. Both girls softball and basketball teams held a ceremony and banner unveiling for the state champions.
(Andrew West/The News-Press/USA Today Network)
Who is the best Southwest Florida softball player of the past 25 seasons?
Let the debate begin.
The News-Press and Naples Daily News selected 25 players for this illustrious list. To be eligible, a player had to be on a Southwest Florida high school softball team for at least one season between 2001 and 2026. Consideration was given not only to how they performed at the high school level and college as well.
Jackie Traina, a 2010 Naples High graduate, was a four-time All-State performer, a four-time Naples Daily News Player of the Year, and a three-time All-American. In 2008, she was named the Gatorade Florida Player of the Year as Naples won a state title. Traina owns Naples’ career and single-season wins and strikeout records. At Alabama, she was a four-time All-American and in 2012, helped guide the Crimson Tide to its first-ever national softball title and was named SEC Pitcher of the Year.
Now’s your chance to determine which one of these standouts is the best.
Vote below or click HERE to vote for the best Southwest Florida softball player of the past 25 years. Polls will close at 10 a.m. on July 1.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: SW Florida top softball player for past 25 years poll. Vote now
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