High school softball rankings: Oak Ridge opens atop Preseason Sac-Joaquin Section MaxPreps Top 25

Sierra Foothill League powers Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) and Whitney (Rocklin) start the season in the top two spots as both captured section titles in 2023 and return the bulk of their lineups.

3. Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove), 24-7
The Eagles could easily make a case for having the top 1-2 punch in the circle heading into 2024. Columbia University commit Madeline Lawson struck out 207 batters as a sophomore. University of Pacific commit Alexa Lewis threw in nearly 60 innings in 2023 and finished 8-0 overall. Shealynn Stinson is one of the top 2026 players in the area.

4. Vacaville, 29-3
San Francisco State commit Xochitl Atayde finished her junior season with 211 strikeouts. The Bulldogs welcome back many of their top hitters from a team that fell to Whitney in the D2 section finals.

5. Capital Christian (Sacramento), 19-5
The returning D4 section champions are stronger on paper than they were last season. The Cougars are led by one of the top 2026 players in the entire country, Ayla Tuua. She was the team's ace and top hitter as a freshman. The young squad finished 2023 winning eight-straight, capping it off with a NorCal Division IV title.

6. Ponderosa (Shingle Springs), 25-5-1
The Bruins return six starters from their section title team that beat Central Catholic in the D3 finals. Abilene Christian commit Chase Mueller takes over a good majority of the time in the circle, while Colorado Mesa University commit Brynn Escobar leads a lineup full of strong bats.

7. Dixon, 22-7
Nearly the entire lineup returns for the Rams, including Ashley Garcia, Audrey Graham and Felesha LePenske. All hit above .400 last spring. The D4 section runners-up also have their entire pitching staff back.

8. Vista del Lago (Folsom), 26-3
Cornell commit Charlize Cai is back for a program that has contended and won a section title over the past two seasons. The Eagles lost a few of their top hitters but seem to reload every year and are in every game they play.



9. Sutter, 26-2
Boise State signee Olivia Bauer excels both in the circle and at the plate. She joins Sacramento State commit Alexa Carino and a very formidable 2024 team eager to finish off a section title run after being upset last year in the D5 semifinals by Orestimba.

10. Granite Bay, 20-7
A new Grizzlies coach has some holes to fill, but their young talent has shown a lot of potential, including sophomore Leilani Terrazas, who hit 7 bombs in 2023. Cal Poly commit Ava Doyle will see the majority of innings this spring.

11. Oakdale, 20-8
University of Pacific commit Presley Barnes led the team as a junior last spring with a .551 average. Raegen Everett is the next Everett sister in line to be the next star pitcher for the Mustangs.

12. Woodcreek (Roseville), 16-9-1
The entire pitching staff returns for the Timberwolves, led by junior Maryn Macneil, who got the bulk of the innings. They graduated a few big bats, but expect another run at a CVC championship and beyond.

13. Kimball (Tracy), 13-9
The Jaguars were  young in 2023 and battled every opponent before finally falling to Vista in the playoffs. Top hitter, Elysia Duarte, and junior ace Alexa Contreras are just a few of their returning talents in 2024.

14. Manteca, 17-9
Nayellys Torres will be back for her senior year after striking out 143 in 2023. The Buffaloes return a talented 2026 class that will help them compete for a Valley Oak League title.



15. Pioneer (Woodland), 21-5
The Patriots have a lineup full of solid hitters, led by sophomore Marisa Bryson, who hit .554 and smashed eight home runs as a freshman. Southern Oregon University commit Briana Parker is another player to watch this spring.

16. Central Catholic (Modesto), 30-4
The Raiders have to fill in a massive hole as star pitcher Randi Roelling is now at Cal, but don't count out the D3 section-runners-up. Juniors Jazmarie Roberts and Taryn Calderon led the team in hitting, while Madie Harrison hit five home runs as a freshman.

16. Gregori (Modesto), 20-8
Kailey Estes mowed down 267 batters last season and returns for her senior year. Her 2024 teammate Kylee Huff hit .398 in the spring with five home runs.

17. St. Francis (Sacramento), 16-13
The Troubadours will have a strong lineup led by Maine commit Francesca Guerrera and Utah State signee Alexandra Garcia. Pacific commit Kiley Shea will lead the way in the circle.

18. Rocklin, 10-13
Oklahoma commit Sydney Barker leads a talented lineup and defensive squad. If the Thunder's new coaching staff can get their young emerging talent to shine, don't sleep on them as a contender for an SFL title.

19. Franklin (Elk Grove), 22-7
The Wildcats lost several seniors who were big-time contributors in 2023, but still have several pieces intact that will keep them in Delta League play all season. Senior Scarlett Riddle and junior Micayla Arlotto are two to watch.



20. Elk Grove, 16-13
The Thundering Herd has a solid mix of young new talent and returning weapons. Seniors Taylor Fitzgerlad and Kaitlyn Maciel look to build off stronger junior seasons.

21. Enochs (Modesto), 20-3
Cal Poly commit Natalie Camarena returns for her senior year after a stellar spring in 2023 where she mowed down 158 batters. Alaina Calvo is another talented senior who hit .483 in 2023.

22. Wheatland, 20-9
Briseis Botonis and Halie Prather both return to the lineup in 2024. Together, they combined to hit 23 home runs as juniors. Prather tossed over 85 innings last spring.

23. Tracy, 18-10
The Bulldogs have their entire pitching staff back, including Elisa Galli, who worked the bulk of the innings. Class of 2026 Emalee Cargill had a solid freshman year, batting .425 overall.

24. Vanden (Fairfield), 13-9
Bakersfield signee Maalia Cherry has one of the biggest bats in all of the section, hitting .426 with six bombs as a junior. Class of 2025 pitcher Isabella Cueva threw in 75 innings as a sophomore.

25. Oakmont (Roseville), 16-9
The Vikings return the majority of their lineup this spring, including utility player Chloe Gomes who led the team in extra base hits and RBI. Senior Emilee Monell and sophomore Kaashni Bains return to the circle for the 2024 season.