Not much changed at the top of the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Softball Rankings this week as the top five teams all won resulting in a status quo among those schools.
There was still plenty of movement overall, however, as previously undefeated Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.), Etiwanda (Calif.) and Bartow (Fla.) all lost their first games of the season and dropped to the lower half of the rankings.
Meanwhile Perry (Massillon, Ohio) lost its season opener and was dropped. Los Alamitos (Calif.) and Rodriguez (Fairfield, Calif.) also lost, resulting in their drop from the rankings.
Melissa Sandoval,
Johansen
Photo by Dave Steutel
Taking their place are undefeated California teams Esperanza, 12-0, and Bonita Vista, 20-0. One of the top-ranked teams in Arizona, Sahuaro at 21-1, also joins the rankings this week.
Jupiter (Fla.) also took a tumble, but since its losses were to higher ranked American Heritage and Gulliver Prep, the Warriors stay in the rankings for at least another week.
All rankings are based on games played prior to April 12.
MAXPREPS XCELLENT 25 NATIONAL SOFTBALL RANKINGS.
1. (last week 1) The Woodlands (Texas), 28-0
The Highlanders played just one game last week, blanking Lufkin 5-0 in District 5A-14 play for their fifth straight shutout.
Faith Bohack had a home run in the win and
Paige McDuffee struck out eight for the win.
2. (2) Alexander Central (Taylorsville, N.C.), 12-0
The Cougars won a pair of shutouts last week, beating Lafayette 8-0 and Hickory 16-0.
Chelsea Wilkinson struck out 16 in the win over Lafayette while
Brianna Elder had three hits on offense. Wilkinson threw a one-hitter with eight strikeouts in the victory against Hickory.
Kaylea Payne had a home run and four RBIs.
3. (3) East Lake (Tarpon Springs, Fla.), 22-0
The Eagles are back in action this week with a game Friday against PCAC. East Lake will then begin district play.
4. (4) American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), 20-0
The Patriots got two big wins last week, defeating 6A Jupiter 3-1 and defending 6A state champion Palm Beach Gardens 5-3.
Aimee Chapdelaine got the win in both games, striking out 10 against Jupiter and defeating PBG for her 15th win of the season (15-0).
Bailey Castro had her 13th home run of the season in the win over Jupiter.
5. (5) Hudsonville (Mich.), 0-0
Will open its season in mid-April.
6. (7) Plano (Texas), 27-3
The Wildcats won a pair of close games, beating Hebron 2-0 and Flower Mound 3-1.
Kristen Miles had a triple in the Hebron victory while
Erin Lowell,
Ashley McDowell and
Jill Holub all doubled against Flower Mound.
7. (9) Valencia (Calif.), 14-1
The Vikings were off last week and will play Golden Valley (Santa Clarita) and West Ranch (Valencia) this week.
8. (11) Soddy Daisy (Tenn.), 11-1
The Trojans bounced back from their lone loss of the season to post four wins last week. Soddy Daisy dropped Union County 2-0 and Gibbs 7-0 on Saturday at the Gibbs Invitational. The Trojans also shut out Walker valley 6-0 early in the week and defeated Cleveland 11-3 and Morristown West 12-1.
9. (13) Sarasota (Fla.), 21-2
The Sailors defeated North Port 13-6 last week and complete the regular season this week against Venice.
10. (14) Gulliver Prep (Miami), 19-2
The Raiders won three times last week, all by shutout, in defeating St. Brendan 11-0, Ransom Everglades 5-0 and Jupiter 1-0.
11. (16) Poland Seminary (Ohio), 4-0
The Bulldogs opened the season last week with four straight shutouts, including 17-0 and 10-0 over Whitmer (Toledo) over the weekend.
Erin Gabriel was 7-for-8 with two home runs and two doubles. She also had a no-hitter with 11 strikeouts in the 17-0 win.
12. (17) Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), 29-2
Another strong week for Riverdale saw the Warriors win nine game and finish undefeated at the Lincoln County Border Battle. Riverdale won seven games by shutout last week and had wins over a pair of Alabama teams, including Athens, 1-0 and 5-4, and Bob Jones, 3-1.
Dene Souviney had five home runs during the week to give her 10 for the season.
13. (18) Canyon del Oro (Tucson, Ariz.), 23-1
The Dorados won three games in easy fashion, topping Flowing Wells (Tucson) 10-1, Amphitheater (Tucson) 21-0 and Vista Grande (Casa Grande) 13-0.
14. (20) Coronado (Lubbock, Texas), 27-0
The Mustangs stayed unbeaten with a 12-0 win over Amarillo.
Katlin Reed had three hits and
Tori Ruiz knocked in three runs for Coronado. In an 11-1 win over Lubbock, Ruiz and
Lani Munoz each had three hits and two RBIs while
Ciarra Galindo was 2-for-4 with a home run.
15. (NR) Esperanza (Anaheim, Calif.), 12-0
The Aztecs have some outstanding wins this year, including victories over Mater Dei (Santa Ana), El Modena (Orange), Sheldon (Sacramento), Canyon (Anaheim), Foothill (Santa Ana) and Friday over El Dorado (Placentia). Experanza is ranked No. 1 in the latest Southern Section coaches rankings.
16. (23) Johansen (Modesto, Calif.), 14-0
The Vikings went 4-0 at the Livermore Stampede, including a pair of international rule tie-breaker wins over Amador Valley (4-3) and Livermore (8-7).
Gabrielle Maurice had two triples in a 10-2 win over Foothill (Pleasanton) and had a home run in the Amador Valley victory. Against Livermore,
Melissa Sandoval homered.
17. (6) Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.), 9-1
The Knights lost their first game of the season, falling to McLean 6-2. Bishop O'Connell also defeated Washington-Lee 12-3 and Bishop Ireton 12-2.
18. (8) Etiwanda (Calif.), 13-1
The Eagles fell to Rancho Cucamonga, a team they had defeated earlier this year by a 4-1 count. Etiwanda bounced back to easily defeat Los Osos 18-4.
Cyerra Rodriquez had three doubles and
Kelsey Barak had six RBIs in the win over Los Osos.
Melissa Taukeiaho added a triple and a home run.
19. (10) Bartow (Fla.), 20-1
The Yellowjackets defeated Lake Region and Auburndale early in the week, but they fell to George Jenkins 2-1 in the seventh inning to see their perfect season come to an end.
20. (22) Temecula Valley (Temecula, Calif.), 14-1
The Golden Bears were off last week and return to action at Chaparral (Temecula) on Wednesday.
21. (24) Lake Norman (Mooresville, N.C.), 14-0
The Wildcats won three times last week, topping Mooresville 17-6, North Mecklenburg (Huntersville) 2-1 and Mallard Creek (Charlotte) 15-0 in league play.
Dominique Wilson had two home runs in the win over Mallard Creek while
MacKenzie Winslow had one. Wilson,
Kayla Pine and
Chloe Archer all homered in the Mooresville victory.
22. (25) Sunrise Mountain (Peoria, Ariz.), 17-1
The Mustangs took two from Dysart last week, winning 10-0 and 18-1.
23. (NR) Sahuaro (Tucson, Ariz.), 21-1
Easy wins over Mountain View (Tucson), 13-3, and Nogales, 15-3, boosted Sahuaro over 20 wins last week. Sahuaro has hit a whopping 30 home runs as a team this year, including nine by
Amanda Nicholas.
24. (NR) Bonita Vista (Chula Vista, Calif.), 20-0
The Barons have cruised through San Diego Section competition with only one game closer than three runs. Bonita Vista won the Torrey Pines Falcon Fiesta last week with wins over Rancho Bernardo (9-2) and Carlsbad (8-5).
Kayla Jordan leads the Barons with a .574 batting average and six home runs.
25. (12) Jupiter (Fla.), 17-4
The Warriors lost twice last week, falling to American Heritage 3-1 and losing to Gulliver Prep 1-0. Jupiter also defeated Royal Palm Beach 6-5 and Florida Christian 4-0.
Jennifer Giles picked up the shutout win against Florida Christian with a two-hitter and seven strikeouts.
Dropped Out: No. 15 Perry, No. 19 Los Alamitos, No. 21 Rodriguez.
