A two-time All-American, Samantha Yodowitz Gaffney was a true utility player for the LIU Post softball team from 2004-2008. On the field, Gaffney could do it all, holding program records in the circle as a pitcher, while also earning all-conference and all-region accolades as an outfielder.
 
Gaffney holds several single-season records at LIU Post including number of innings pitched with 265 1/3, complete games with 36, and number of wins with 31, and number of games played with 64. All four records came during her junior season when she helped lead the Pioneers to an appearance in the Division II College World Series. That season, Gaffney was tabbed as a National Fastpitch Coaches Association and Louisville Slugger Second-Team All-American.
 
The achievements did not stop as a pitcher though. Gaffney was named New York Collegiate Athletic Conference Rookie of the year, and NFCA All-Northeast Region as an outfielder during her freshman season. The trend continued as a sophomore when she was named to the NYCAC All-Conference team once again, and took home NYCAC Tournament Most Valuable Player honors after leading the Pioneers to a conference title in 2006.
 
The awards continued to flow in during her career, as Gaffney was a 2-time All-Northeast Region honoree, while also being named the Northeast Regional Tournament Most Valuable Player as a junior. In her final season, Gaffney compiled a 30-8 record in the circle and was named an All-American as well as the NYCAC Player of the Year and LIU Post Female Athlete of the Year.
 
During her career, the Pioneers made four trips to the NCAA Division II Tournament, including two appearances in the Division II College World Series. As a pitcher, Gaffney finished her career with a 90-27 record with a 1.31 earned run average and 568 strikeouts. At the plate she hit .329 for her career, tallying 199 hits, 20 home runs and 95 runs batted in.
 
Gaffney graduated from LIU Post in 2008 with a degree in physical education. Upon graduation, Gaffney was signed by the Philadelphia Force of the National Professional Fastpitch League where she played one season of professional softball. Following her season with the Force, she earned her Masters of Science in Health Education from Hofstra University.

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