MaxPreps Top 25 national high school softball rankings: Big week in Southern California

Norco Varsity Showcase puts deep talent in Golden State on display.

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Feb 26, 2020, 11:30am
Video: Aynslie Furbush highlights
See the Winter Springs pitcher and Ole Miss commit in action.

Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.) begins at the top of the first weekly regular season MaxPreps Top 25 national high school softball rankings. The preseason No. 1 team has jumped out to 3-0 start as the Mustangs have scored 29 runs, knocked 15 extra base hits — including seven home runs — and have allowed one run.

In Southern California, No. 2 Norco (Calif.) hosts the Varsity Showcase at Big League Dreams in Chino Hills from Wednesday-Saturday. Many of the top teams in all of California will be there. On Saturday, No. 2 Norco faces No. 13 Great Oak. We could get an early tell on which teams are the early contenders after this showcase wraps up.

Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, Texas) was tabbed as the top team in the state of Texas to begin the season. The Eagles have shown why as they are 5-0 with wins over Angelton and Katy, the defending 6A state champions.

All data collected prior to Feb. 25 games. Coaches, please get your scores and stats in as MaxPreps and GameChanger are stat partners. Learn more here.

MaxPreps Top 25 national high school softball rankings
Stevie Hansen, Norco
Stevie Hansen, Norco
File photo by Michael Pineda
1. (Last week 1) Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.), 3-0
The Mustangs are hitting .434 and and have outscored opponents 29-1 to start the season.

2. (2) Norco (Calif.), 2-0
Big test all week for the Cougars as they play Huntington Beach, Great Oak, Glendora and Ayala.

3. (3) Foothill (Pleasanton, Calif.), 0-0
Falcons start season March 3.

The Eagles have allowed one run in five games while plating 31.

5. (4) O'Connor (Phoenix), 0-0
Begins play Feb. 26.

6. (5) Chino Hills (Calif.), 2-0
Sophomore Kiki Estrada has nine RBI in two games as the Huskies are off to an explosive start.

7. (6) Winter Springs (Fla.), 3-0
Aynslie Furbush struck out 11 in her first outing and won 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh against Spruce Creek.

8. (7) Williamsville East (East Amherst, N.Y.), 0-0
Season begins in late March.

9. (8) Coral Springs Charter (Coral Springs, Fla.), 2-0
Brianna Godfrey, returning 6A-2A Pitcher of the Year, has struck out 15 in her first two outings.

10. (9) Hartsville (S.C.), 0-0
Season begins March 12.

Season begins March 13.

12. (11) Hoover (Clendenin, W. Va.), 0-0
Season begins March 18.

Coach Mercado's team will be tested this week at the Norco Varsity Showcase.

14. (13) Trenton (Fla.), 4-0
The Tigers have scored 12 or more runs in all four games to start the season.

Season begins March 14.

Season begins in late March.

17. (17) Huntley (Ill.), 0-0
Season begins March 19.

18. (18) New Palestine (Ind.), 0-0
Season begins in late March.

19. (19) Escanaba (Mich.), 0-0
Season begins in late March.

20. (20) Garfield (Seattle), 0-0
Season begins March 18.

21. (21) Pinnacle (Phoenix), 0-0
Season begins this week at the Sunrise Mountain Tournament.

Season begins in late March.

23. (23) Masuk (Monroe, Conn.), 0-0
Season begins in late March.

Opens season against Youngker on Wednesday.

25. (NR) Forney (Texas), 5-0
The Jackrabbits are off to a perfect start and play in the Brittany Tuck Memorial Tournament this week.

Dropped out: Fairhope (Ala.), Angleton (Texas)

On the bubble

After dropping game won to Sarland 2-1, Fairhope bounced back to win four-straight, including a 1-0 over Sarland.

Won its first two games by a margin of 20-3.

The Oliers see Norco and Great Oak this week.

In 12 inning pitched, Kate DeSimone has struck out 20 batters.

The Griffins begin play this week.

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