Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas) completed a remarkable two-year journey that culminated in an 85-1 record, back-to-back 5A title and the No. 1 spot in the final MaxPreps Top 25 high school softball rankings.
The Lions, who finished second after last season's 44-0 run, are the 2023 MaxPreps Preps National Champions. They showcased their dominance with an incredible winning streak of 82 games under the guidance of coach Michelle Rochinski, beating eight nationally ranked squads in the expanded top 50 this season.
Emerging victorious in the Lone Star State, known for its highly competitive softball scene, further exemplifies why Lake Creek is deserving of being named the top team in the country.
Ballard (Louisville, Ky.), which finished a close second, proved its mettle in an intense showdown against last year's MaxPreps National Champion,
Roncalli (Indianapolis). The Bruins emerged with a thrilling 2-1, nine-inning victory in one of the most captivating matchups of the season.
Hollister (Calif.), from the Central Coast region, defied expectations and surprised the California softball community. While traditional Southern California powerhouses were predicted to reign supreme, it was the resilient Halybalers who claimed the top spot in the state, solidifying their status as the ballclub from the Golden State.
As this will be the final rankings of the season, we finish with an expanded top 50 rankings.
Past MaxPreps National Champions2020 — No champion crowned (Pandemic)
MaxPreps Top 25 softball rankings 1. Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas)
Record: 44-1 |
Last week: 1
Class 5A state champion.
2. Ballard (Louisville, Ky.)
Record: 36-1 |
Last week: 2
Kentucky state champion.
3. Hollister (Calif.)
Record: 30-3 |
Last week: 3
Northern California Division 1 champion.
4. Bartow (Fla.)
Record: 29-3 |
Last week: 4
Class 6A state champion.
5. St. Amant (La.)
Record: 32-2 |
Last week: 5
Division I Non-Select state champion.
6. Pacifica (Garden Grove, Calif.)
Record: 24-8 |
Last week: 6
Southern Section Division 1 champion.
7. Pearland (Texas)
Record: 40-3 |
Last week: 7
Class 6A state champion.
Record: 37-2 |
Last week: 8
Class 4A state champion.
9. Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.)
Record: 35-1 |
Last week: 9
Class 4A state champion.
Record: 46-8 |
Last week: 10
Class 7A state champion.
11. North Penn (Lansdale, Pa.)
Record: 28-0 | Last week: 11
Class 6A state champion.
Record: 21-0 |
Last week: 12
VISAA Division I champion.
13. Jackson (Mill Creek, Wash.)
Record: 27-1 |
Last week: 14
Class 4A state champion.
14. Austintown-Fitch (Youngstown, Ohio)
Record: 22-0-2 |
Last week: 15
Division 1 state champion.
15. Penn (Mishawaka, Ind.)
Record: 28-4-1 |
Last week: 15
Class 4A state champion.
16. Kaukauna (Wis.)
Record: 30-0 |
Last week: 16
Division 1 state champion.
17. Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Record: 28-4 |
Last week: 17
Class 5A state champion.
18. Norco (Calif.)
Record: 28-4 |
Last week: 18
Southern Section Division 1 runner-up.
19. Basha (Chandler, Ariz.)
Record: 26-4-1 |
Last week: 19
Class 6A state champion.
Record: 32-4 |
Last week: 20
Class 6A state champion.
Record: 38-1 |
Last week: 21
Class 2A state champion.
Record: 26-0 |
Last Week: NR
Class 4A state champion.
23. North Posey (Poseyville, Ind.)
Record: 29-0 |
Last week: 23
Class 2A state champion.
Record: 32-1 |
Last week: 24
Class AAAAA state champion.
Record: 27-1 |
Last week: 25
Class 5A state champion.
Next 25
26. Roncalli (Indianapolis)
Record: 31-4-1
Class 4A runner-up.
27. Parrish Community (Parrish, Fla.)
Record: 24-3
Class 5A state champion.
28. Hartland (Mich.)
Record: 34-4-1
Division 1 state champion.
29. Guyer (Denton, Texas)
Record: 38-2
Class 6A state runner-up.
30. West Stanly (Oakboro, N.C.)
Record: 31-1
Class 2A state champion.
31. Pace (Fla.)
Record: 28-2
Class 6A runner up.
32. Canyon (New Braunfels, Texas)
Record: 33-1
Class 5A state runner-up.
33. Wetumpka (Ala.)
Record: 56-6-1
Class 6A state champion.
34. Sheldon (Eugene, Ore.)
Record: 32-1
Class 6A state champion.
35. Spanish Fork (Utah)
Record: 28-2
Class 5A state champion.
36. Rising Sun (North East, Md.)
Record: 20-1
Class 2A state champion.
37. St. John-Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.)
Record: 30-1
Non-Public A champion.
38. Poway (Calif.)
Record: 29-3
Southern California Division 1 regional champion.
39. Gaylord (Mich.)
Record: 39-2
Division 2 state champion.
40. Wheelersburg (Ohio)
Record: 32-0
Division III state champion.
41. Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.)
Record: 28-4
Northern California Division 1 regional finalist.
Record: 30-2
Class AAA state champion.
43. Georgetown (Texas)
Record: 37-4
Class 5A regional finalist.
44. North DeSoto (Stonewall, La.)
Record: 36-2
Division II Non-Select state champion.
45. Carlsbad (N.M.)
Record: 29-3
Class 5A state champion.
46. Los Alamitos (Calif.)
Record: 24-4
47. St. Thomas More (Lafayette, La.)
Record: 39-3
Division 1 Select state champion.
48. Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, Texas)
Record: 39-6
49. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.)
Record: 30-3-1
Southern California Division 1 regional finalist.
50. Maine-Endwell (Endwell, N.Y.)
Record: 24-2
Class A state champion.
