College of Staten Island Athletics

CSI has had their share of dominating softball talents, but few ruled the diamond like Michelle DeBella.  During a critical stage in the program’s development DeBella became an instant hit, running away with so many records and memorable moments to last a lifetime, and leaving behind a legacy that continues to leave an impression.
 
A Staten Island Technical High School alum, DeBella played in an era when grass fields, and troubled weather, limited the competitive schedule.  Despite the limited number of games, some of her single season and career numbers have never been duplicated.  She became the cornerstone of a program under new Head Coach Gina Battista in 1998.  Affixed at first base much of her career, DeBella started every game her freshman season, and created a whirlwind right away by posting a .452 batting average her rookie year, complete with 33 RBI, 11 extra-base hits and team-leading 19 walks, helping her to a robust .537 on-base percentage.  The punctuation mark came in early-May in her rookie campaign, as DeBella helped deliver CSI a CUNYAC Championship after the team faltered the year before.
 
The freshman season would be hard to top, but DeBella more than mirrored the effort.  A .457 season at the plate that featured 25 RBI, five home runs, and an .807 slugging percentage with 17 bases on balls in 1999 were enough to help CSI to another CUNYAC Championship and a CUNYAC Player of the Year citation for the standout.
 
With records in reach, DeBella’s finest season came in her junior year in 2000.  Against the backdrop of a ramped up competitive schedule, DeBella put up one of the best softball seasons of all-time.  She would spread 57 hits in 30 games, good for a .533 average, easily the highest mark in CSI single-season history.  Her 47 RBI marked a then-CSI record, as did her 14 doubles that season.  The Dolphins fell short of a title that year, but DeBella raced away with CUNYAC Player of the Year honors again.
 
Missing just a single game her senior season, DeBella continued her torrid pace en route to graduation.  She posted a .369 batting average her final season, complete with 12 extra-bases and another 12 walks.  Another CUNYAC All-Star selection ensued.
 
All told, DeBella’s 163 career hits rank eighth all-time, but her .464 career batting average ranks second, speaking to her ability to maximize her limited chances.  In just 112 games played, she also places 10th all-time in runs scored (117), 4th in RBI (124), 3rd in Doubles (40), 6th in home runs (10), and 4th in walks (57).  Her on-base and slugging percentage currently rank third all-time, while her 535 career put-outs defensively stand fourth all-time in CSI career history.