Columbus North, Bishop O'Connell, Marist, Rockridge, Georgetown all climb into national mix as playoffs heat up.
Three more softball teams in the MaxPreps Top 25 rankings wrapped up championships this past week, and a handful more will be playing for titles this weekend.
A much-anticipated pitching duel between UCLA commit
Kaitlyn Terry of
Greenway (Phoenix) and BYU commit
Gianna Mares of
Salpointe Catholic (Tucson) in the Arizona 4A state championship lived up to expectations. They combined to strike out 17 and allowed two hits each. However, it was Mares and the Lancers who pulled off a 2-0 victory, giving the school its fifth consecutive state championship.
Pacifica (Garden Grove, Calif.) wrapped up Southern Section play with an impressive four-game stretch, defeating some of the top programs in California. It concluded with a 15-9 victory over
Norco (Calif.) in the Division 1 championship.
Delaina Maae and
Annika Sogsti ignited a seven-run rally in the top of the fifth inning, helping the Lancers surge back from a three-run deficit.
For the third time since 2019,
Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville) will bring home an Alabama state championship. The Huskies battled their way out of the losers bracket and swept Fairhope in a two-game series to once again be named the state's top team. MaxPreps Alabama State Player of the Year
Sara Phillips earned tournament MVP for her performance in the circle and at the plate.
Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.) secured a MHSAA Class 6A title Thursday night after a 4-2 win over South Panola.
Jolie Hays was dominant in the circle, and the offense did its part, giving the Cougars their first title in 14 years.
No. 10 Salpointe Catholic players celebrate their Arizona 4A title after beating Greenway 2-0 to grab the trophy. (Photo: Kevin French)
Record: 40-0 | Last week: 1
Ava Brown allowed one hit and struck out 14 as the Lions blanked Barbers Hill 1-0 to open their series. In game two,
Kalee Rochinski drove in three runs, pushing Lake Creek into the regional finals where they play Georgetown.
Record: 31-1 | Last week: 2
Brooke Gray has continued her regular season success into the playoffs for the Bruins. She struck out 12 during a 2-1 win over Assumption on Sunday.
Record: 27-1 | Last week: 9
Record: 35-0 | Last week: 12
Avery Jefferson hit a seventh-inning, go-ahead home run to give the Wildcatsa 4-3 win over Southlake Carroll. They now have a Keller in the 6A regional finals.
Record: 26-3-1 | Last week: 5
The Royals pounded out 15 hits and 14 runs in Round 1 of the playoffs. Up next: Warren Central on Tuesday.
Record: 19-0 | Last week: 6
Brie Wheeler and
Olivia Gibson each drove in three runs as the Hawks wrapped up the regular season undefeated with a 14-4 win over Patrick Henry.
Record: 32-2 | Last week: 8
Season complete. Division I (Non-Select) state champions.
Record: 24-2 | Last week: 10
Madison Ferraro went deep and drove in five as the Lancers opened up postseason play with a 14-0 over San Lorenzo Valley.
Record: 24-8 | Last week: 14
The Mariners earned a chance to move on to Southern California Regional play but opted out.
Record: 35-1 | Last week: 13
The Lancers manufactured two runs to pull out a thrilling win over Greenway in the state championship.
Record: 46-8 | Last week: 19
Lexie Kelly had a pair of doubles as the Huskies brought out the sticks during the series-clinching, 12-2 win over Fairhope.
Record: 20-0 | Last week: 16
Record: 24-3 | Last week: 18
The Patriots have outscored their opponents 28-0 over the past five postseason games. Next up is Spanish River in the 7A semifinals.
Record: 23-11 | Last week: NR
Maddi Rutan and Bull Dogs have our attention after an impressive 23-1-1 record up to this point. Rutan recorded her 600th career strikeout this season. The Eastern Kentucky commit can also swing a bat, as she has blasted eight home runs.
Record: 21-0 | Last week: NR
Oklahoma State commit
Katie Kutz and the Knights are rolling. The senior is batting .557 with 13 home runs. She also is 19-0 with a 0.45 ERA and 268 strikeouts.
Record: 26-1 | Last week: 15
The Warriors fell for the first time 4-2 to Johnstown Memorial to close out the regular season. The teams split the two games they played.
Record: 20-1 | Last week: 21
The Timberwolves open 4A postseason play Friday. The WIAA finals will wrap on Saturday.
Record: 17-0-1 | Last week: 17
The Falcons take on Berea-Midpark in the Division 1 regional semifinals on Tuesday.
Record: 30-2 | Last week: NR
For the second time in school history, the RedHawks won 30 regular-season games. The 4A playoffs begin Tuesday.
Record: 28-4 | Last week: 20
Season complete. 5A state champions.
Record: 28-4 | Last week: 4
Season complete. Division 1 runner-up.
Record: 26-4-1 | Last week: 22
Season complete. 6A state champions.
Record: 32-4 | Last week: 24
Record: 33-1 | Last week: NR
The Rockets have won 25-straight games. Illinois State commit
Payton Brown has hit 25 home runs. Wisconsin commit
Kendra Lewis has been tough to hit in the circle with a 1.37 ERA and 165 total strikeouts.
Record: 37-4 | Last week: NR
The Eagles have won 25 straight games and now go up against No. 1 Lake Creek, a team they lost to 10-4 in early March.
