'Miss Schroeder' Sarah Ferruzza honored as the all-time winningest Warrior
WEBSTER — Sarah Ferruzza's family, friends, teammates and coaches were on hand to celebrate the career of Webster Schroeder's wins leader.
Ferruzza, a senior catcher for the Warriors' softball team, was celebrated as the all-time winningest Warrior Wednesday night before Schroeder's softball game against Fairport. She received a commemorative plaque as her teammates waved signs with playful nicknames that read, "Miss Schroeder Athletics" and "Sarah Freaking Ferruzza".
Ferruzza was back in the starting lineup after missing about two weeks of action. On May 1, when Schroeder improved to 15-0, Ferruzza was inactive but spoke about her decorated career after the win over rival Webster Thomas.
"I can't really sum up the whole experience because every season's been different and amazing. And these girls. … they're just the best, I guess. Everything's been so amazing. So supportive," Ferruzza said.
Sarah Ferruzza by the numbers
179 - Ferruzza's career win total after Webster Schroeder's a 4-3 win over Fairport Wednesday night.
25 - Amount of wins Ferruzza's basketball team won on their way to the 2023 NYS Class AA championship. The Warriors finished 25-1.
22 - Total wins Ferruzza's softball team won during their 2022 Class A state championship run. Her Warriors finished 22-5.
21 - Win total of Ferruzza's volleyball team that won the 2024 Class AA state title. The Warriors ended the season 21-1.
12 - Total varsity seasons Ferruzza has played between softball, volleyball and basketball.
The math was "fun" and easy for Webster Schroeder athletic director Shawn Strege and the school's staff to figure out. Several other athletes have more than 100 wins, but as their losses quickly added up, Schroeder was able to verify that no boy or girl who has played for the Webster or Webster Schroeder Warriors have accumulated more wins than Ferruzza.
"I feel like I've seen her more than some of my family. ... She's just the consummate teammate. It's very clear her teammates love her. That goes a long way. Pretty tough act to follow but she's the right kid to do it," Strege said.
Sarah Ferruzza's softball career
Ferruzza's debut season catching for Schroeder's softball team led to a state championship in 2022. She was a sophomore then. Coach Meaghan Keil remembered Ferruzza as a seventh-grader on junior varsity in 2019. Keil said Ferruzza has blossomed as a player and person.
"There is not a more humble, kind, or greater teammate than Sarah. She's something special. She doesn't want the spotlight. She's very, very down to earth," Keil said.
Sarah Ferruzza's volleyball career
Ferruzza was the setter on Schroeder's 2023 volleyball team that won 21 straight games en route to a state title in November. Pete DeWitte, the All-Greater Rochester co-Coach of the Year who will coach JV next season, has known Ferruzza for years. He coached her older sister, Grace, and knew Sarah would be a phenomenal athlete.
"She's always had that ability to step up, especially this year. She's taken that role of, 'You never want to play against that girl because you're probably going to lose.' Besides sports she's just an awesome person. She's probably going to crush the nursing field," DeWitte said.
Sarah Ferruzza's basketball career
Ferruzza also played a key role on Schroeder's 2022 state championship basketball team. Coach Codi Mrozek first coached Ferruzza as an eighth-grader on JV for two games. That's when varsity pulled up Mariah Watkins and Ferruzza, who became an immediate 3-point threat.
"Ever since those first two games I knew she was special. Not just with her skill, but with her personality and who she is," Mrozek said.
— Marquel Slaughter is a journalist for the Democrat and Chronicle, specializing in high school sports. He has been reporter for 14 years. Follow him @MarquelSports on X or on Instagram. You can contact him at mslaughter1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Sarah Ferruzza honored as all-time winningest Webster Schroeder Warrior
