Video: Illinois softball pitcher dominates in dodgeball game
See Adyson Slayback drop players like bowling pins in this "friendly" game of dodgeball.
There was little change at the top of this week's MaxPreps Xcellent Top 25 national high school softball rankings. But with four Top 10 team in the same tournament this week, you can bet next week's ranking will look very different. After all, at least three of the four teams are certain to lose.
Los Alamitos (Calif.), the reigning MaxPreps National Champions and winners of 25 in a row over two seasons, held on to the No. 1 spot for a second week in a row. Not far behind is Johnson (San Antonio), winners of all 21 of its games this season.
Foothill (Pleasanton, Calif.) survived a 2-0 scare from 7-1 Livermore (Calif.) to remain No. 3 and is unbeaten in seven games.
Rounding out the Top 5 are Marist (Chicago) and Canyon (New Braunsfels, Texas).
Los Alamitos, Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.), defending Carew champion Norco (Calif.) and Foothill — all ranked in the Top 10 — all compete in the Michele Carew
Tournament beginning Wednesday. Previously ranked Mater Dei (Santa Ana,
Calif.), Canyon del Oro (Ariz.), Gahr (Cerritos, Calif.), Valencia (Calif.) and Cathedral
Catholic (San Diego) are also entered. A shake up in the rankings is
expected.
While many of the top teams will be playing in
California's Carew tournament, the Kissimmee Klassic in Florida this
weekend will feature five teams ranked or previously ranked.
New to the Top 25 this week are unbeaten Jackson (Miss Creek, WA) and once beaten Angleton (TX).
MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national high school softball rankings
Macy Simmons, Chandler
Photo by Darin Sicurello
1. (Last Week 1) Los Alamitos (Calif.), 12-0The Griffins avoided defeat by exploding for four runs on back-to-back RBI doubles from senior
Danielle Lew and freshman
Sophia Nugent. The rally extended the Griffins' win streak to 25. Next up: The Michele Carew Classic.
2. (2) Johnson (San Antonio), 21-0Johnson has allowed just two runs in its last eight games and juniors
Bri Moore and
Kailey Brown each have tossed five shutouts. The Jaguars are hitting .417 as a team.
3. (3) Foothill (Pleasanton, Calif.), 7-0Sophomore
Nicole May threw a one-hitter as Foothill handed 7-1 Livermore (Calif.) its first loss, 2-0.
4. (4) Marist (Chicago), 4-0The Redhawks are averaging more than 10 runs per game.
5. (5) Canyon (New Braunfels, Texas), 16-1The Cougars bounced back from a 1-0 loss with a run-rule win over Wagner and a 6-2 win over rival New Braunsfels.
6. (6) Hurricane (W. Va.), 7-0The only thing to slow Hurricane was Mother Nature, postponing all three games last week. Sophomore
Harlie Vannatter is 6-0 with a pair of perfect games. She has allowed six hits, one earned run with 49 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched.
7. (7) Keller (Texas), 22-1-1During the Indians 14-game win streak, they have outscored their opponents, 160-22.
8. (8) Katy (Texas), 25-1The Tigers only loss was 4-3 to Alvin on Feb. 23.
9. (9) Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.), 14-1Six players have hit three homers or more this season.
10. (11) Norco (Calif.), 10-1The Cougars only loss is to Orange Lutheran.
11. (13) Clovis (Calif.), 15-0Led by senior pitcher
Danielle Lung, the Cougars has allowed just 28 runs.
12. (12) East Carter (Grayson, Ky.), 4-0In four games,
Eden Mayo and
Montana Fouts have combined for 17 hits and 20 RBIs. Fouts has allowed one hit with 54 strikeouts in 21 innings.
13. (14) Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.), 20-1Junior
Macy Simmons is hitting .594 with 10 homers and 42 RBIs. She is one of four Huskies batting over .500.
14. (21) Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), 17-0The Eagles outscored three opponents 30-5 last week.
15. (15) O'Connor (Phoenix), 18-1-2After a week of spring break, the Eagles are ready to return to action with a seven-game winning streak.
16. (16) Neshoba Central (Philadelphia, Miss.), 18-0The Rockets have allowed just 13 runs. Pitcher
Aspen Wesley is 11-0 with five no-hitters, nine shutouts and a 0.12 ERA. Let's not forgot 133 strikeouts in 60 innings. She also has pitched a one-hitter and three two-hitters.
17. (18) Barrington (Ill.), 6-0After a pair of 4-3 wins, the Fillies exploded for an 11-1 win over Mundelein.
18. (22) Siegel (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), 19-1The Stars won the Lady Trojan Invitational and the Soddy Daisy Tournament last week to run their win streak to 14.
19. (19) Gardendale (Ala.), 29-1Since losing, the Rockets rebounded and have won five in a row.
20. (NR) Jackson (Mill Creek, Wash.), 9-0Iyani Pennington has it going her way — 7-0, no earned runs allowed and a 0.00 ERA with 96 strikeouts in 45 innings. She is also hitting a team high .538.
21. (20) Chiles (Tallahassee, Fla.), 16-1The Timberwolves split with 17-2 Marianna (FL.).
22. (NR) Angleton (Texas), 22-1Six straight shutouts highlight the Wildcats' 20-game win streak. Senior
Tate Whitley is batting .773.
23. (24) Cibola (Yuma, Ariz.), 24-1During their nine-game win streak, the Raiders have outscored their opponents 119-14. Four of the last five wins have been via shutout.
24. (25) Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.), 8-0The Knights were rained out last week.
25. (10) Land O' Lakes (Fla.), 15-1Opponents have scored just 18 times against the Gators.
Dropped out: Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.), White Knoll (Lexington, S.C.).