California high school softball: No. 1 Sheldon tops MaxPreps Top 25 Sac-Joaquin Section rankings after hot 3-0 start

By Steve Montoya Mar 22, 2021, 11:12am

Huskies assert dominance with 39-run outburst in trio of wins.

Sheldon (Sacramento) left no doubt out of the gate as to why it's the top-ranked high school softball team in the Sac-Joaquin Section. The Huskies outscored their opponents 39-4 in the season's first three games, including a 10-0 win over third-ranked Del Oro (Loomis).

Sheldon got two homers from juniors Reina Zermeno and Jazzy Fines and sophomore Jaylee Ojo. Dakota Kennedy and D'auna Johnson both have on-base averages above .700.

Sheldon will be tested this week as the Huskies hit the road Thursday to play sixth-ranked Vanden (Fairfield) and Saturday when they travel to fifth-ranked Roseville.

Five games to watch

Monday
No. 4 Rocklin (4) at No. 2 Elk Grove
No. 12 Oakmont (Roseville) at No. 5 Roseville

Tuesday
No. 13 Ponderosa (Shingle Springs) at No. 11 Folsom
No. 20 Vacaville at No. 15 Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove)



Friday
No. 10 Merced at No. 14 Oakdale
No. 1 Sheldon is off to a hot 3-0 start after scoring 39 runs.
No. 1 Sheldon is off to a hot 3-0 start after scoring 39 runs.
Photo by Ralp Thompson
MaxPreps Top 25 Sac-Joaquin Section softball rankings

1. Sheldon (Sacramento)
Record:
3-0 | Preseason ranking: 1
The Huskies are hitting .473 as a team with eight home runs and 35 hits in the three games. Big game with No. 6 Vanden on Thursday.

2. Elk Grove
Record:
3-0 | Preseason ranking: 2
Thundering Herd have three impressive wins to start the season, including a 2-0 victory over Del Oro.

3. Del Oro (Loomis)
Record:
1-2 | Preseason ranking: 3
The Golden Eagles losses are to Sheldon and Elk Grove. They bounced back with a 4-2 win over eighth-ranked St. Francis.

4. Rocklin
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 4
Season opens March 22.

Record: 0-0 | Preseason ranking: 5
Season opens March 22.



6. Vanden (Fairfield)
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 6
Season opens March 24.

7. Vista del Lago (Folsom)
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 7
Season opens March 29.

8. St. Francis (Sacramento)
Record:
0-1 | Preseason ranking: 8
The Troubadours lost a 4-2, nine-inning decision to Del Oro.

9. St. Mary's (Stockton)
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 9
Season opens March 25.

10. Merced
Record:
1-0 | Preseason ranking: 10
The Bears hit five home runs in a 21-0 win over Livingston to start the year.

11. Folsom
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 11
Season opens March 23



12. Oakmont (Roseville)
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 12
Season opens March 22.

13. Ponderosa (Shingle Springs)
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 13
Season opens March 23.

14. Oakdale
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 15
Season opens March 22.

15. Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove)
Record:
1-0 | Preseason ranking: 16
The Eagles had 19 hits in a 23-0 win over Galt.

16. Pitman (Turlock)
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 18
Schedule not updated on MaxPreps.

17. Antelope
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 19
Season opens March 25.



19. Center (Antelope)
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 20
Season opens March 24.

19. Lindhurst (Olivehurst)
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 21
Season opens March 26.

20. Vacaville
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 22
Season opens March 23.

21. Marysville
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 23
Season opens March 24.

22. McClatchy (Sacramento)
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 24
Season opens April 4.

23. Franklin (Elk Grove)
Record:
1-0 | Preseason ranking: 25
The Wildcats scored three late runs for a 4-2 win Friday over Granite Bay.



24. Enochs (Modesto)
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: 14
Eagles have two games on their MaxPreps schedule.

25. Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove)
Record:
0-0 | Preseason ranking: NR
Junior Andrea Laine struck out eight in a 8-5 season-opening win over Whitney.