MaxPreps Top 25 national high school softball rankings

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).

1. (Last Week 1) Los Alamitos (Calif.), 12-0
The 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), 21-0
Johnson 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.), 7-0
Sophomore Nicole May threw a one-hitter as Foothill handed 7-1 Livermore (Calif.) its first loss, 2-0.



4. (4) Marist (Chicago), 4-0
The Redhawks are averaging more than 10 runs per game.

5. (5) Canyon (New Braunfels, Texas), 16-1
The 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.), 7-0
The 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), 22-1-1
During the Indians 14-game win streak, they have outscored their opponents, 160-22.

8. (8) Katy (Texas), 25-1
The Tigers only loss was 4-3 to Alvin on Feb. 23.

9. (9) Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.), 14-1
Six players have hit three homers or more this season.



10. (11) Norco (Calif.), 10-1
The Cougars only loss is to Orange Lutheran.

11. (13) Clovis (Calif.), 15-0
Led by senior pitcher Danielle Lung, the Cougars has allowed just 28 runs.

12. (12) East Carter (Grayson, Ky.), 4-0
In 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.), 20-1
Junior 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.), 17-0
The Eagles outscored three opponents 30-5 last week.

15. (15) O'Connor (Phoenix), 18-1-2
After 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.), 18-0
The 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.), 6-0
After a pair of 4-3 wins, the Fillies exploded for an 11-1 win over Mundelein.

18. (22) Siegel (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), 19-1
The Stars won the Lady Trojan Invitational and the Soddy Daisy Tournament last week to run their win streak to 14.

19. (19) Gardendale (Ala.), 29-1
Since losing, the Rockets rebounded and have won five in a row.

20. (NR) Jackson (Mill Creek, Wash.), 9-0
Iyani 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.), 16-1
The Timberwolves split with 17-2 Marianna (FL.).



22. (NR) Angleton (Texas), 22-1
Six straight shutouts highlight the Wildcats' 20-game win streak. Senior Tate Whitley is batting .773.

23. (24) Cibola (Yuma, Ariz.), 24-1
During 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.), 8-0
The Knights were rained out last week.

25. (10) Land O' Lakes (Fla.), 15-1
Opponents have scored just 18 times against the Gators.

Dropped out: Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.), White Knoll (Lexington, S.C.).