Upsets knocked a pair of teams out of the national softball rankings this week, but a playoff run by a defending state champion provided the biggest drop in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25.
Palm Beach Gardens, which had a rough stretch in the middle of the season when it lost five games, made its return to the 6A state championship game to defend its title from last year. The Gators knocked off favored Sarasota, which was ranked No. 5 in last week's Xcellent 25, by a 4-1 count to move into the title game against Winter Springs. Although Palm Beach Gardens is the likely favorite due to its big game experience, Winter Springs does have a win over the Gators earlier this year.
Another Florida team, Bartram Trail (Jacksonville), dropped from the rankings after losing in the Florida Class 4A state semifinals to Eau Gallie, 4-2. Winter Springs replaces Bartram Trail in this week's rankings.
Also gone is Coronado (Lubbock, Texas), which saw a 35-game win streak come to an with consecutive losses to Permian in the Texas 5A state playoffs. The loss eliminated Coronado from the postseason. Sparkman (Harvest, Ala.), at 43-3 and ranked No. 1 in Alabama, replaces Coronado.
MAXPREPS XCELLENT 25 NATIONAL SOFTBALL RANKINGS
1. (last week 1) The Woodlands (Texas), 36-0
The Highlanders advanced to the regional quarterfinals with a 4-2, 6-4 series win over Pflugerville. Next up is Klein Collins.
Paige McDuffee got the wins in both games, pushing her season record to 29-0.
2. (2) Alexander Central (Taylorsville, N.C.), 22-0
The Cougars picked up two wins last week, beating Foard (Newton) 3-0 and Central Davidson (Lexington).
Chelsea Wilkinson struck out 14 against Central Davidson and also had a home run.
Kaylea Payne had the game-winning single in the bottom of the seventh. Wilkinson struck out six on a one-hitter in the win against Foard.
3. (3) East Lake (Tarpon Springs, Fla.), 27-0
The Eagles reached the Florida 5A state semifinals with a 4-0 win over Venice. A showdown with Bartow looms on May 13.
Alyssa Bache had a no-hitter until the top of the seventh. She struck out 16 for East Lake.
Delaney Spaulding, Etiwanda
Photo by Jason Paar
The Wildcats played only one game against Mansfield and won 1-0 to advance to a regional quarterfinal game against Hebron on May 14.
5. (6) Bartow (Fla.), 27-1
The Yellowjackets defeated Plant City in the regional finals last week, 4-3, and will face undefeated East Lake in the semifinals on May 13.
6. (7) Gulliver Prep (Miami), 28-2
The Raiders ended American Heritage's season with a 3-0 win in the regional finals. Gulliver Prep faces Florida (Tallahassee) in the state semifinals on May 11.
7. (8) American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), 23-1
Lost to Gulliver Prep (Miami) 3-0 in Florida 3A regional finals. Season over.
8. (9) Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), 40-2
Won two games last week with wins of 12-0 and 10-0 over Blackman.
Dene Souviney had two home runs and
Megan Quinn had one in the win.
Rachel Albritton struck out seven for her 35th win and 22nd shutout of the season.
9. (10) Canyon del Oro (Tucson, Ariz.), 32-1
The Dorados won three times last week, topping Pueblo (Tucson) 15-0, Catalina Foothills (Tucson) 12-1 and Sunnyslope (Phoenix) 12-2. The win over Sunnyslope came in the first round of the Arizona Class 4A Division I playoffs.
10. (12) Northern (Owings, Md.), 17-0
Northern posted two more shutouts last week, beating Calvert (Prince Frederick) 8-0 and McDonough (Pomfret) 10-0 before edging Bishop O'Connell in a close game, 2-1. Beat Stone (Waldorf) 12-0 in its final regular season game.
11. (14) Esperanza (Anaheim, Calif.), 22-1
The Aztecs won twice, defeating El Dorado (Placentia) 10-3 and Brea Olinda (Brea) 13-3.
12. (15) Chesapeake (Pasadena, Md.), 17-0
Defeated North County 11-0, Old Mill 4-0 and Northeast 3-2 to stay hot on the heels of Northern in the Washington Post All-Met rankings.
13. (17) Lake Norman (Mooresville, N.C.), 21-1
The Wildcats were back in action last week, picking up a 15-0 win over West Charlotte (Charlotte) and an 8-1 win over Hough (Cornelius).
14. (13) Bonita Vista (Chula Vista, Calif.), 28-1
The Barons dropped their first game of the season, falling to Hilltop (Chula Vista) 3-1 last week. Bonita Vista avenged the loss with a 7-3 win two days later and then defeated Otay Ranch 17-8 on Monday.
15. (19) North Davidson (Lexington, N.C.), 21-1
The Black Knights clinched the Central Piedmont Conference with a 10-0 win over West Forsyth last week.
Mackenzie Hauser got the win, striking out eight for the shutout.
16. (20) Sunrise Mountain (Peoria, Ariz.), 26-2
The Mustangs opened the playoffs with a 10-0 win over Desert View (Tucson) and also defeated Apollo (Glendale) 24-0 and Greenway (Phoenix) 14-0 earlier in the week.
Mickayla Heller had two home runs against Greenway and one against Desert View.
17. (22) Los Alamitos (Calif.), 23-2-1
The Griffins won twice in Sunset League play, defeating Newport Harbor 8-0 and Marina (Huntington Beach) 6-5 last week.
Alexandria Finie homered against Marina.
18. (16) Etiwanda (Calif.), 19-2
The Eagles topped Glendora 11-0 and Upland 12-1 with
Delaney Spaulding homering in the latter win.
19. (24) Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.), 28-5
The defending 6A state champions move into the championship game with a 4-1 win over Sarasota.
Kaylie Wallace got the win while
Taylor Schwarz had an RBI triple to pace a three-run rally in the third inning.
20. (18) Lakota East (Liberty Township, Ohio), 19-2
The Thunderhawks resumed a suspended game against West and lost 2-0. However Lakota East received a perfect game from
Sara Pearson in a 3-0 win over Mason on Thursday. She struck out 12 in the win.
21. (25) Tomball (Texas), 29-3
The Cougars played a single game against Bowie (Austin) and won 6-5 to head to a regional quarterfinal against Austin.
22. (NR) Sparkman (Harvest, Ala.), 43-3
Sparkman recently won the Area 16 championship with a 17-0 win over Huntsville. It will begin play in the regional tournament this week.
23. (5) Sarasota (Fla.), 27-3
The Sailors had their season end with a 4-1 loss to defending 6A state champion Palm Beach Gardens in the Florida 6A state semifinals.
24. (NR) Winter Springs (Fla.), 27-5
Advanced to the Florida 6A state championships with an 8-0 win over Braddock. Will play Palm Beach Gardens for the title.
25. (21) East Ridge (Clermont, Fla.), 28-3
Lost to Palm Beach Gardens in Florida 6A regional finals. Season over.
Dropped Out: No. 11 Coronado, No. 23 Bartram Trail.
