St. John's University Athletics
Marissa Rizzi to be Inducted into the New York State High School Softball Hall of Fame
7/30/2025 3:06:00 PM | Softball
Rizzi will be enshrined on June 20, 2026 in Herkimer, N.Y.
HERKIMER, N.Y. –The New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports (NYSSCOGS) announced that Marissa Rizzi will be a part of the 2026 Hall of Fame Class for softball.
The St. John's softball assistant coach and former player will be inducted for her time as a superb student-athlete at East Southport Manor High School on Long Island, the organization announced in a press release earlier this week.
The Manorville, N.Y., native was a five-year standout at the varsity level, amassing 158 hits and 145 RBI with a .537 batting average as a pitcher.
Inside the circle Rizzi finished her high school career with a 0.69 ERA, an 83-16 overall record, 722 strikeouts, 31 shutouts and six no hitters to boot. During her senior year, the fireballer would toss 206 strikeouts accompanied by an astonishing 0.35 ERA.
From 2012-2016, Rizzi would be named a four-time All- County, three-time All-Long Island and three-time All-State honors, as well as a two-time Suffolk County Player of the Year. Long after her playing days, Newsday named her a Top-100 High School Athletes of the 2010's, as she solidified herself as one of the best softball players from Long Island.
During her time at St. John's, Rizzi demonstrated consistent excellence and growth over five seasons. As a freshman in 2017, she made an early impact hitting three home runs in a five-game span as the Johnnies went onto win the BIG EAST Regular Season. The first basemen followed that with a sophomore season where she collected 35 hits, six home runs, and delivered several clutch performances.
Rizzi's junior year in 2019 marked a breakout season, earning All-BIG EAST First Team honors. She led the Red Storm with a .403 average, 12 home runs, and 14 multi-hit games, while twice being named BIG EAST Player of the Week.
After redshirting in 2020, she returned the following season for a remarkable final season. Starting all 30 games, Rizzi once again led the team in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.402), slugging (.707), and runs scored (29). She reached base in 17 straight games and earned All-BIG EAST First Team recognition for the second time, along with a spot on the NFCA All-Region Second Team. She was also named BIG EAST Player of the Week and earned multiple weekly honor roll nods.
Shortly after her playing days concluded, Rizzi joined as a student-assistant and was elevated to assistant coach in 2021. As part of Head Coach Michelle DePolo's staff, the future hall of famer has helped guide the Red Storm to the BIG EAST Tournament over the last three seasons and most recently 2024 BIG EAST Regular Season Champions.
The 2026 Hall of Fame class will be inducted on June 20, 2026. The ceremony will be held at the Mudville Ballfields in Herkimer, N.Y. For more information about the 2026 NYSSCOGS Hall of Fame class, visit their website here.
The St. John's softball assistant coach and former player will be inducted for her time as a superb student-athlete at East Southport Manor High School on Long Island, the organization announced in a press release earlier this week.
The Manorville, N.Y., native was a five-year standout at the varsity level, amassing 158 hits and 145 RBI with a .537 batting average as a pitcher.
Inside the circle Rizzi finished her high school career with a 0.69 ERA, an 83-16 overall record, 722 strikeouts, 31 shutouts and six no hitters to boot. During her senior year, the fireballer would toss 206 strikeouts accompanied by an astonishing 0.35 ERA.
From 2012-2016, Rizzi would be named a four-time All- County, three-time All-Long Island and three-time All-State honors, as well as a two-time Suffolk County Player of the Year. Long after her playing days, Newsday named her a Top-100 High School Athletes of the 2010's, as she solidified herself as one of the best softball players from Long Island.
During her time at St. John's, Rizzi demonstrated consistent excellence and growth over five seasons. As a freshman in 2017, she made an early impact hitting three home runs in a five-game span as the Johnnies went onto win the BIG EAST Regular Season. The first basemen followed that with a sophomore season where she collected 35 hits, six home runs, and delivered several clutch performances.
Rizzi's junior year in 2019 marked a breakout season, earning All-BIG EAST First Team honors. She led the Red Storm with a .403 average, 12 home runs, and 14 multi-hit games, while twice being named BIG EAST Player of the Week.
After redshirting in 2020, she returned the following season for a remarkable final season. Starting all 30 games, Rizzi once again led the team in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.402), slugging (.707), and runs scored (29). She reached base in 17 straight games and earned All-BIG EAST First Team recognition for the second time, along with a spot on the NFCA All-Region Second Team. She was also named BIG EAST Player of the Week and earned multiple weekly honor roll nods.
Shortly after her playing days concluded, Rizzi joined as a student-assistant and was elevated to assistant coach in 2021. As part of Head Coach Michelle DePolo's staff, the future hall of famer has helped guide the Red Storm to the BIG EAST Tournament over the last three seasons and most recently 2024 BIG EAST Regular Season Champions.
The 2026 Hall of Fame class will be inducted on June 20, 2026. The ceremony will be held at the Mudville Ballfields in Herkimer, N.Y. For more information about the 2026 NYSSCOGS Hall of Fame class, visit their website here.
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