High school softball rankings: St. Francis takes over top spot in Sac-Joaquin Section MaxPreps Top 25

Preseason No. 1 Sheldon (Sacramento) visited Lincoln of Stockton on Thursday. University of Tennessee-Chattanooga commit Peja Goold was phenomenal in the circle. She allowed three hits and shut down one of the best hitting lineups in the state as the Trojans won 2-1.

Oakdale made a leap to No. 2 overall. The Mustangs are 6-0 and have been led by junior Delainey Everett as the lefty has gone over 200 strikeouts already in her high school career.

Sac-Joaquin Section MaxPreps Top 25 softball rankings

1. St. Francis (Sacramento)
Sophomore Alex Garcia had a few big hits and Hope Jenkins struck out eight as the Troubadours beat Roseville 4-2 to open up the season.

Pitcher Delainey Everett and the Mustangs are off to a hot start. The junior is 4-0 in the circle and has struck out 50 in 26 innings pitched.

3. Vanden (Fairfield)
Record: 0-0 | Preseason: 3
Season yet to begin.

4. Sheldon (Sacramento)
The Huskies fell to Lincoln of Stockton 2-1 after an impressive 5-1 win over Rocklin. They host No. 5 Del Oro on Thursday.

5. Del Oro (Loomis)
Record: 2-0 | Preseason: 5
The Golden Eagles have outscored its opponents 20-1 to start the season, and both teams they beat are solid squads. Kendal Manley, Jenna Birch and Haylee Engelbrecht are just a few swinging a hot bat to start 2022.

6. Roseville
Record: 3-1 | Preseason: 2
After a tough loss to St. Francis to open the season, the Tigers bounced back scoring 34 runs in three games. Marissa Jordan has two home runs to start the year.

7. Elk Grove
Record: 3-0 | Preseason: 7
Junior pitcher Aissa Silva already has 40 strikeouts in 18 innings. Sophomore Addy Buckley has 11 hits in 13 at-bats.

8. Folsom
Record: 0-0-1 | Preseason: 6
Senior Emma Falen struck out 16 and sophomore Haylie Alkire drove in a run as the Bulldogs tied No. 8 Vista del Lago 1-1 to start the spring.

9. Vista del Lago (Folsom)
Record: 1-0-1 | Preseason: 8
Sammy Smith and Olivia Manchester have been a great combo at the plate and on the field. Manchester threw all eight innings against Folsom with Smith catching.

10. Rocklin
Record: 2-2 | Preseason: 9
The Thunder's two losses were against top 5 teams. Chloe Kimbrell and Marissa Robertson have a combined 13 hits. Sophomore Sydney Barker has two home runs.

Peja Goold struck out 14 and threw a complete game in a 2-1 win over Sheldon. Morgan Grupe has come out swinging, batting .462.

12. Escalon
Record: 3-1 | Preseason: 10
Macie Vickers had a pair of hits and Brooke Davis struck out 10 in an early season 1-0 win over Central Catholic.

13. Central Catholic (Modesto)
Record: 4-1-1 | Preseason: 13
Junior Randi Roelling has struck out 77 batters in 33 innings. In a 3-0 win over Lincoln, the Cal commit mowed down 13 and allowed just two hits.

14. Whitney (Rocklin)
Record: 1-0 | Preseason: 28
Sophomore Mya Flindt had three hits in the Wildcats' 7-3 win over Pleasant Grove. Freshman Alyssa Flindt had a home run and drove in two.

15. Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove)
Record: 2-2 | Preseason: 30
The Eagles have a loaded schedule to start the season. It's smart as they get ready for Delta League play, one of the toughest leagues in the state.

16. Granite Bay
Record: 1-1 | Preseason: 11
Rachel Handy and Liliana Nunez led a powerful hitting attack as the Grizzlies had four extra base knocks in a 7-3 win over Inderkum.

17. Marysville
Record: 2-0 | Preseason: 16
Sophomore Mikayla Haggard has seven hits in eight at bats to start 2022. Freshman Janis Sutton is close behind as she has five hits in two games.

18. Dixon
Record: 1-0 | Preseason: 19
Madi West and Felesha Lepenske had a pair of base hits each in a 6-3 win over Davis. Senior Lexi Coyle got the win in the circle as she pitched a complete game.

19. Manteca
Record: 5-0 | Preseason: NR
Sophomore Nayellys Torres has been a spark so far. She has seven hits at the plate and also is 2-0 in the circle. The Buffaloes have outscored their opponents 55-4.

20. Woodcreek (Roseville)
Record: 3-0 | Preseason: NR
Maliyah Lawson has struck out 19 in 10 innings of work. Kristyn Dodd hit a home run in a 3-2 win over Casa Roble over the weekend.

21. Los Banos
Record: 3-1 | Preseason: NR
Paige Smith, Hailee Moore, and Matalie Greenwood have combined for 23 hits through four games.

22. Lincoln
Record: 1-2 | Preseason: 17
The Zebras have one of the toughest preseason schedules around. Don't let their record fool you as they go up against some of the best in the section.

23. American Canyon
Record: 2-0 | Preseason: NR
Alexis Abalos and Angelia Rodriguez both had three hits in an impressive early season win over Rodriguez.

24: Calaveras (San Andreas)
Record: 0-0 | Preseason: 24
Season yet to begin.

25. Inderkum (Sacramento)
Record: 5-2 | Preseason: 22
Freshman Alexandra Jacques has 11 hits in 16 at bats. The Class of 2025 catcher has a home run and nine RBI.
26. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills)
27. Ponderosa (Shingle Springs)
28. Cordova (Rancho Cordova)
29. Linden
30. Merced