Top 25 national softball rankings

Rainy conditions over the weekend resulted in the cancellation of most of the Faster to First Softball Tournament in Anaheim, but enough games were played to have a profound effect on the Xcellent 25 National Softball Rankings.

With Thursday's and Friday's games mostly a wash due to the weather, tournament organizers put together a series of games so that each participant was able to get in at least two contests, and in some cases three.

Nationally ranked Valencia, previously No. 2, and Sandburg, previously No. 4, both suffered losses, as did No. 11 Stockdale, No. 23 Elk Grove and No. 24 Piedra Vista. As a result, all but Valencia have dropped from this week's rankings. The Vikings fall to No. 11 after a 3-1 upset loss to Riverside Poly.

Taking advantage of those losses is Etiwanda, which raised its record to 10-0 on the season and went 2-0 in Saturday's games including an 8-0 win over Elk Grove.

Other teams on the move include Plano and East Lake. Plano defeated rival Plano East in a battle for Northern Texas. Meanwhile East Lake remained undefeated with a first-place finish in the Palm Harbor Tournament.

MAXPREPS XCELLENT 25 NATIONAL SOFTBALL RANKINGS

1. (last week 1) The Woodlands (Texas), 26-0
The Highlanders continue to roll along, winning three district games last week by shutout. The Woodlands blanked Kingwood 3-0 and then swept a doubleheader from College Park by identical 10-0 scores.

2. (3) Soddy Daisy (Tenn.), 2-0
The Trojans had the week off and will head back into action this week with road games against Chattanooga Central, Ooltewah and Bradley Central.

3. (6) Alexander Central (Taylorsville, N.C.), 7-0
The Cougars defeated McDowell 4-0 with Chelsea Wilkinson allowing four hits and striking out 19. She had 15 strikeouts and allowed five hits in a 9-4 win over Hibriten.

4. (8) East Lake (Tarpon Springs, Fla.), 22-0
The Eagles defeated Palm Harbor University 4-0 to win the Palm Harbor Tournament. East Lake defeated Robinson 8-0, East Bay 5-0 and Plant 9-1 to advance to the championship game.

5. (9) American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), 17-0
The Patriots knocked off Marist (Chicago) 3-0 and edged Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale) 6-3 to remain undefeated. Bailey Castro had home runs in both games, giving her 10 for the season.

6. (5) Hudsonville (Hudsonville, Mich.), 0-0
Will open its season in mid-April.

7. (10) Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.), 7-0
The Knights continue to breeze past opponents, defeating Good Counsel 10-2, Bishop McNamara 6-2, Holy Cross 12-0 and Paul VI 17-7.

8. (14) Plano (Texas), 22-3
The Wildcats edged Lewisville 3-2 and then topped Plano East 3-2 in a battle for North Texas supremacy. Plano is ranked No. 2 in the state 5A rankings behind The Woodlands.

9. (NR) Etiwanda (Calif.), 10-0
Emerged from the Faster to First Tournament as a true contender for the Southern Section crown. Has wins over Santiago and Elk Grove and went 3-0 at the Faster to First Tournament.

10. (2) Valencia (Calif.), 12-1
The Vikings picked up a big win over previous No. 4 ranked Sandburg (Orland Park, Ill.) with a 9-1 win, but lost a 3-1 decision to Riverside Poly in the rain-shortened Faster to First Tournament in Anaheim.

11. (13). Bolles (Jacksonville, Fla.), 14-0
The Bulldogs did not play last week and are back in action against Bishop Snyder this week.

12. (18) Bartow (Fla.), 17-0
The Yellowjackets are still undefeated after beating Lake Wales 12-0 and Lakeland 16-0 last week.

13. (7) Plano East (Texas), 16-3
The Panthers had a rough week, losing to Flower Mound 2-0 and Plano 3-2 in District 5A-8 play.

14. (15) Perry (Massillon, Ohio), 0-0
The Panthers open their season March 28.

15. (17) Poland Seminary (Ohio), 0-0
The Bulldogs open their season March 29 vs. Struthers.

16. (20) Jupiter (Fla.), 14-2
The Warriors blasted two opponents last week, clobbering Cardinal Newman 7-1 and blanking Santaluces 10-0.

17. (25) Gulliver Prep (Miami), 16-1
Topped previously unbeaten Riverdale (Tenn.) and then edged Marist (Chicago) 1-0 and Key West 11-0 for three wins last week.

18. (12) Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), 16-1
After defeating defending Florida 4A state champion Dunnellon 5-0, Riverdale fell to Gulliver Prep 2-0 for its first loss of the season. Defeated Forest (Ocala, Fla.) earlier in the week 11-0. Riverdale has a big game looming this week against Alexander Central (Taylorsville, N.C.).

19. (21) Los Alamitos (Calif.), 10-1-1
The Griffins played only one game last week, beating Woodrow Wilson 4-2.

20. (22) Rodriguez (Fairfield, Calif.), 6-1
Rain continues to plague Rodriguez, which defeated Bethel 24-0 in its only game last week.

21. (NR) Temecula Valley (Calif.), 12-1
Started the week ranked No. 1 in the Southern Section, but lost a 6-4 decision to Great Oak on Monday, a team it had defeated 8-5 earlier in the season.

22. (NR) Johansen (Modesto, Calif.), 6-0
The Sac-Joaquin Section runners-up from 2010 are off to a strong start, including a 37-1 win over Downey in which Gabrielle Maurice was 4-for-4 with six runs, nine RBIs and two home runs.

23. (NR) Wakeland (Frisco, Texas), 21-2
Ranked No. 1 in the Texas Girls Coaches Association Class 4A state rankings, Frisco Wakeland is led by Hannah Newcomb, who is 19-2 on the season and is also batting .458 with 34 RBIs and six home runs.

24. Chamberlain (Tampa, Fla.), 13-1-1
Only loss of the season is to Bartow, which is undefeated. Led by pitcher Rachel Dwyer who is 10-0 with four shutouts.

25. Lake Norman (Mooresville, N.C.), 10-0
The Wildcats moved ahead of defending state champion North Davidson in the North Carolina state rankings and sit only behind Alexander Central. Lake Norman has won eight of its 10 games by shutout.

Dropped Out: No. 4 Sandburg, No. 11 Stockdale, No. 16 Dunnellon, No. 19 River Ridge, No. 23 Elk Grove, No. 24 Piedra Vista.