Vikings knock off Sheldon as Hazyl Gray, Jaylee Ojo in battle of section's best.
In a battle of Top 10 teams Thursday,
Vanden (Fairfield) held on to beat
Sheldon (Sacramento) 11-8 and climb to the top spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 Sac-Joaquin Section high school softball rankings. The Huskies had 10 hits, including sophomore
Jaylee Ojo's section-leading fifth home run in the top of the seventh. But it wasn't enough as junior
Hazyl Gray struck out 14, including the final batter of the game.
The Vikings matched Sheldon with 10 hits. Seattle University signee
Tai Wilson went 3-for-3 and now has seven base knocks in her first nine at-bats. Vanden jumps five spots, while the Huskies dropped to No. 2 as they bounced back with a 9-6 win over
Roseville on Saturday.
Like teams figuring out their pitching rotations, starting lineups, and getting everyone play time, the rankings will see early movement. Five new teams joined this week.
Lincoln (Stockton) has caught our attention after a 4-0 start. The pitching combo of junior
Peja Goold and sophomore and
Daniella Hunter has struck out 38 batters in 28 innings pitched.
Although this upcoming week will see many teams off because of spring break, we will still see some big games that will have a huge impact on the rankings.
Five games to watch
Tuesday
WednesdayNo. 3 Rocklin at No. 13
Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove)FridayNo. 4
Elk Grove at No. 10
FolsomNo. 17
McClatchy (Sacramento) at No. 13 Pleasant Grove
Tai Wilson, Vanden
File photo by Robert Schlie
Record: 3-0
| Last week: 6
The Vikings showed they can do it all in win over Sheldon.
2. Sheldon (Sacramento)
Record: 5-1
| Last week: 1
The Huskies have faced five opponents who've been in the Top 25 rankings at some point this season.
3. Rocklin
Record: 2-0
| Last week: 4
Senior
Brook Thompson threw a 1-0 no hitter over Elk Grove. Freshman
Sydney Barker hit a home run for the Thunder.
4. Elk Grove
Record: 6-1
| Last week: 2
The only blemish for a tough early season schedule for the Thundering Herd was a 1-0 loss to Rocklin.
5. Del Oro (Loomis)
Record: 1-2
| Last week: 3
The Golden Eagles open league play April 7 against Whitney.
6. Vista del Lago (Folsom)
Record: 0-0
| Last week: 7
The Eagles get the season rolling with two games this week.
7. St. Francis (Sacramento)
Record: 1-1
| Last week: 8
Troubadours have a tough test on Thursday against Inderkum.
8. Roseville
Record: 1-2
| Last week: 5
After a 2-1 win over Oakmont, the Tigers lost to Lincoln in extra innings and then to Sheldon on Saturday.
9. Lincoln (Stockton)
Record: 1-1
| Last week: NR
The Trojans will have a tough test Tuesday against Tri-City Athletic League rival St. Mary's.
10. Folsom
Record: 1-1
| Last week: 11
Emma Falen struck out 13 in complete-game shutout win over Ponderosa. She struck out seven more in two innings of work against Cordova.
11. Oakmont (Roseville)
Record: 2-1
| Last week: 12
Marc Watson's Vikings look to be a tough game no matter who they play.
12. Ponderosa (Shingle Springs)
Record: 1-1
| Last week: 13
The Bruins fell 2-0 to Folsom, but bounced back with 12 hits and 18 runs in win over Franklin.
13. Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove)
Record: 3-0
| Last week: 15
Sophomore
Zoe Iverson had three of the Eagles 16 hits in a 15-1 win over Vacaville.
14. Center (Antelope)
Record: 1-0
| Last week: 19
Rylei Trujillo struck out 16 in a complete game no-hitter against Oak Ridge.
15. McClatchy (Sacramento)
Record: 0-0
| Last week: 24
Big season-opening game Friday against No. 13 Pleasant Grove.
16. Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove)
Record: 2-0
| Last week: 25
Freshman
Marisol Gomez has a pair of doubles and a .833 OBP to start her varsity career.
17. Central Catholic (Modesto)
Record: 3-0
| Last week: NR
Sophomore
Randi Roelling is mowing opponents down. She's struck out 43 in 17 innings of work.
18. Marysville
Record: 1-0
| Last week: 23
Senior
Kaylen Galaviz hit a home run and struck out 10 in 5-1 win over Nevada Union.
19. Antelope
Record: 1-0
| Last week: 17
The Titans beat Rio Linda 11-6.
20. Tracy
Record: 3-2
| Last week: NR
The Bulldogs' two losses were to ranked teams and have impressive wins over Oakdale and Lodi.
21. Oakdale
Record: 1-1
| Last week: 14
After 4-2 loss to Tracy, the Mustangs bounced back with a 7-1 win over Merced.
22. Merced
Record: 1-1
| Last week: 10
The Bears drop after loss to Oakdale.
23. Vacaville
Record: 1-2
| Last week: 20
After a blowout loss to Pleasant Grove to start the season, the Bulldogs played well in the next two games.
24. Granite Bay
Record: 3-2
| Last week: NR
The Grizzlies dropped their first two games, but have since rolled off three straight. The team has six early season home runs.
25. Lincoln
Record: 2-3
| Last week: NR
The Fighting Zebras have not backed away from competition. After three losses to Sheldon, Elk Grove, and Granite Bay, they have bounced back with two wins, including a 6-5 victory over Roseville.
