MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Softball Rankings

There's a new No. 1 in the Xcellent 25 National Softball Rankings as Niceville (Fla.) makes its rise to the top.

Alvin (Texas) had a short run at the top of the Xcellent 25, lasting only one week after losing to Brazoswood and Pearland in consecutive games. Niceville, a state champion in Florida last year, was No. 2 last week and rises up to the No. 1 spot to take Alvin's place.

Several undefeated teams are right on the heels of the Eagles as both Estrella Foothills (Goodyear, Ariz.) and Norco (Calif.) have yet to lose and are ranked No. 2 and 3 in the country, respectively.

Former No. 1 Palm Beach Gardens is also in the mix at No. 4 after a 5-4 win over Gulliver Prep.



MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Softball Rankings

1. (2 last week) Niceville (Fla.), 19-1
Ranked No. 1 in the Florida Class 6A state rankings, Niceville defeated Northview 12-3 and Tate 10-0 last week. The Eagles move up to the No. 1 spot with a 15-game win streak.

2. (3) Estrella Foothills (Goodyear, Ariz.), 23-0
The Wolves have been on an offensive tear of late, averaging 13 runs per game in their last four outing,s including a 12-0 win over La Joya Community and a 16-3 victory over Antelope.

3. (4) Norco (Calif.), 14-0
The Cougars are ranked No. 1 in the Southern Section and played just one game last week, defeating Centennial (Corona) 5-3.

4. (5) Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.), 19-1
The Gators defeated defending state champion Gulliver Prep 5-4 last week. They also defeated American Heritage (Delray Beach) 6-0 to maintain their No. 1 ranking among 8A schools in Florida.

5. (6) Tomball (Texas), 16-1
Tomball has been on fire on offense since losing to Klein Collins on March 12. It has averaged more than 13 runs per game including a 13-0 win over Westfield (Houston) and 13-3 over Spring. A rematch with Klein Collins looms on April 10.

6. (7) El Diamante (Visalia, Calif.), 19-0
The Miners are performing well in the Clovis Easter Tournament, dropping Hanford 7-1, Redwood (Visalia) 10-0, Clovis East 10-0, Centennial (Bakersfield) 4-0, Hanford again 10-0 and Atwater 7-0.



7. (9) Alexander Central (Taylorsville, N.C.), 11-1-1
Chelsea Wilkinson appears to have shaken off the arm injuries that plagued her earlier this season. She picked up her 68th and 69th career shutouts in a 14-0 win over Hibriten and a 2-0 victory over St. Stephens. She had a no-hitter against Hibriten and struck out a career-high 20 batters against St. Stephen. She followed those efforts with a 17-0 win over East Rowan for her 70th career shutout as well as another no-hitter.

8. (1) Alvin (Texas), 26-3
After ascending to the No. 1 spot in the Xcellent 25 rankings, Alvin has lost two in a row, falling to Brazoswood 4-2 and losing to Pearland 6-1 on Tuesday.

9. (8) The Woodlands (Texas), 19-3
The Highlanders defeated Conroe 8-1 with Faith Bohack and Abby Langkamp each hitting a home run.

10. (10) Winter Springs (Fla.), 16-1
It was a good week for the No. 1 7A school in Florida as Winter Springs blanked Lake Mary 6-0 and Hagerty 5-0, beat Lake Howell 7-6 and blasted Evans (Orlando) 15-0. Winter Springs plays in the Kissimmee Klassic this week.

11. (11) Chamberlain (Tampa, Fla.), 17-1
Chamberlain picked up two wins with a 9-1 victory over Steinbrenner (Lutz) and a 3-1 win over Freedom (Tampa).

12. (13) Eau Gallie (Melbourne, Fla.), 19-1
Eau Gallie was on vacation last week and did not play.

13. (14) Walla Walla (Wash.), 4-0
The Blue Devils continue to play well on defense and in the circle, racking up 28 runs and allowing none in a doubleheader against Kennewick, 18-0 and 10-0.

14. (15) Sunrise Mountain (Peoria, Ariz.), 18-0
The Mustangs picked up their 12th shutout of the season and their fifth in a row with wins over Copper Canyon (Glendale) 24-0 and Liberty (Peoria) 11-0.



15. (18) Pacifica (Garden Grove, Calif.), 14-1
Pacifica defeated Northwood twice last week by scores of 7-0 and 9-0, then followed with its seventh-straight shutout by beating Valencia 12-0.

16. (20) Topsail (Hampstead, N.C.), 14-0
The Pirates captured their 10th win by shutout this season by defeating Northside (Jacksonville) 9-0 and Swansboro 3-0. They will play in the West Brunswick East Tournament this week.

17. (21) Keystone (La Grange, Ohio), 2-0
The Wildcats opened their season this week with a 20-2 win over Lutheran West (Rocky River) on Monday and a 1-0 victory over Edison (Milan) on Tuesday.

18. (23) Poland Seminary (Ohio), 3-0
The Bulldogs are off to a 3-0 start after beating Austintown Fitch 12-2 on Tuesday. Erin Gabriel picked up the win and also got a win in an 8-2 triumph over Girard in the season opener, striking out 14.

19. (25) Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), 21-2
Riverdale won the Lady Warrior Southern Classic with Saturday wins over Lake Zurich (Ill.) 6-0, Central (Burlington, Ill.) 3-2 and Bearden (Knoxville, Tenn.) 7-1.

20. (16) Torrey Pines (San Diego), 16-1
The Falcons defeated San Dieguito Academy 3-0 and Otay Ranch 1-0 and then swept a doubleheader from Canyon Crest Academy 13-0 and 18-3 before falling to San Marcos on Monday 3-0.

21. (NR) Porter Ridge (Indian Trail, N.C.), 17-0
The Pirates have 11 shutouts on the season, including a 10-0 victory over Sun Valley (Monroe) on Tuesday.

22. (NR) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 12-1
The Monarchs have been sailing through the West Catholic Athletic League, going 6-0 with five shutouts.

23. (NR) Xavier College Prep (Phoenix), 21-1
The Gators have won 13 in a row since dropping their only game of the season, a 5-2 loss to Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.).

24. (NR) Pearland (Texas), 21-3
The Oilers move back into the rankings after knocking off No. 1 Alvin 6-1 in district play.

25. (NR) Newton County (Decatur, Miss.), 16-1
The Cougars have rebounded nicely since losing to Brandon in mid-March, winning 11 in a row.

Dropped out: No. 12 Durant, No. 17 Hillcrest, No. 19 Orange Lutheran, No. 22 Robbinsville, No. 24 Soddy Daisy.