High school softball rankings: Postseason play heats up, shakes up MaxPreps Top 25

By Steve Montoya May 3, 2022, 11:30am

Louisiana's St. Amant enters top 5 finishing five-game postseason run to 5A state title.

Addison Jackson tossed a perfect game and four Gators smashed home runs as St. Amant (La.) finished off a five-game run to capture the Louisiana 5A state championship. The 10-0 win over West Monroe propelled them up to No. 4 in this week's MaxPreps Top 25 high school softball rankings.

Each week more and more states will enter postseason play. Ten teams in the MaxPreps Top 25 teams have started their run to a title. In Southern California, No. 3 Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.) is on the opposite side of No. 17 Villa Park (Calif.) in the Division 1 bracket. The 32-team CIF Southern Section Division 1 bracket is arguably one of the toughest roads to a title in the country.

Queen Creek (Ariz.) is new to the rankings this week at No. 25. Senior Jade Berry is having a monster year. The Arizona State commit has hit 17 of the teams 42 home runs. The Lady Bulldogs play Red Mountain on Wednesday in the second round of 6A action.

Teams that do not enter results and statistical information to MaxPreps make forming the rankings and highlighting players much more difficult.
Jade Berry, Queen Creek
Jade Berry, Queen Creek
Photo by Jack Beasley
MaxPreps Top 25 high school softball rankings

1. Roncalli (Indianapolis)
Record:
16-0 | Last week: 1
Lyla Blackwell hit an inside the park home run as the Royals beat Marist of Chicago 11-0 on Saturday.



2. Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas)
Record:
32-0 | Last week: 2
Kalee Rochinski had three hits, including a home run, during the Lions two-game sweep over Magnolia to advance in postseason play.

3. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.)
Record:
28-0 | Last week: 4
The Lions open up Southern Section Division 1 postseason play on May 5 against Valley View.

4. St. Amant (La.)
Record:
31-2 | Last week: 20
Addison Jackson, Aralee Beene, Alix Franklin and Sam Landaiche all hit home runs in the state title game.

5 . Deer Park (Texas)
Record:
33-2 | Last week: 5
The Lady Deer outscored North Shore 23-0 during their two-game sweep as they advanced to play Alvin in Area postseason play.

6. Patterson Mill (Bel Air, Md.)
Record:
15-0 | Last week: 6
Tara Caprinolo had a hit and drove in a run during a 3-2 win over Rising Sun on Thursday.

7. O'Connor (Helotes, Texas)
Record:
25-1 | Last week: 7
The Panthers won 18-0 and 12-0 to advance in postseason play.

8. Benton (Ark.)
Record:
25-0 | Last week: 8
Panthers have outscored its opponents 228-17 in 2022.

9. Donovan Catholic (Toms River, N.J.)
Record:
16-0 | Last week: 9
Taryn Zylka and Ashley Federico had five RBI each as the Griffins beat Lacey Township 17-5 on Thursday.



10. Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record:
21-2 | Last week: 10
Mustangs open postseason play on Tuesday against Gulf Coast.

11. Clovis North (Fresno, Calif.)
Record:
18-1 | Last week: 3
After a 1-0 loss to rival Buchanan, the Broncos bounced back Friday with an 8-1 win over Clovis West.

12. Beaver (Pa.)
Record:
11-0 | Last week: 12
Payton List hit a home and struck out in 13 in the circle, as the Bobcats beat Hopewell 2-1 in extra innings.

13. North Augusta (S.C.)
Record:
24-1 | Last week: 13
Audri Bates was a single short of a cycle during the Yellowjackets 7-0 win Tuesday over Greenwood.

14. Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.)
Record:
27-2 | Last week: 16
Gianna Mares and the Lancer pitching staff have allowed just five runs during their current 13-game win streak.

15. Lexington (Tenn.)
Record:
37-1 | Last week: 19
Kyrsten Brown hit a home run and a double as the Tigers beat Brighton 8-0 on Saturday.



16. Anthony Wayne (Whitehouse, Ohio)
Record:
16-0 | Last week: NR
The Generals had a big 3-2 win over Triway on Saturday.

17. Villa Park (Calif.)
Record:
23-4 | Last week: 22
The Spartans open up Southern Section Division 1 play on May 5.

18. Rockwall (Texas)
Record:
26-4 | Last week: 24
Yellowjackets advanced to 6A Area play after beating Rowlett 18-0 on Thursday.

19. Bend (Ore.)
Record:
17-1 | Last week: 11
Addisen Fisher struck out 10 in a 1-0 win over South Salem. South Salem beat the Lava Bears 7-2 in game two of the doubleheader on Saturday.

20. Bullard (Texas)
Record:
37-1 | Last Week: NR
The Panthers swept Pittsburg and will now play Brownsboro on Saturday in 4A Area play.

21. Triway (Wooster, Ohio)
Record:
18-1 | Last week: 18
Titans dropped a few spots this week after falling 3-2 to No. 17 Anthony Wayne on Saturday.

22. Fairhope (Ala.)
Record:
35-2-1 | Last week: NR
The Lady Pirates are on a 10-game winning streak as they head into 7A postseason play.



23. Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, Texas)
Record:
27-6 | Last week: NR
Defending national champs are getting hot at the right time with a 16-game win streak.

24. Riverton (Utah)
Record:
19-1 | Last week: NR
Utility player Jolie Mayfield has hit 13 home runs for the Silverwolves.

25. Queen Creek (Ariz.)
Record:
24-4 | Last week: NR
Sophomore Jenae Berry is 14-3 in the circle with a 1.81 ERA.

Next 5
26. Watkins Memorial (Pataskala, Ohio)
27. Rockridge (Taylor Ridge, Ill.)
28. John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.)
29. Georgetown (Texas)
30. McCracken County (Paducah, Ky.)