It took nearly an entire season, but Alexander Central is back on top of the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Softball Rankings.
With Estrella Foothills losing in the Arizona Division III semifinals, Alexander Central easily moved into the No. 1 spot - a place it occupied way back in March at the start of the season.
Back then, the Cougars played the first couple of games of the year without two-time state player of the year Chelsea Wilkinson in the circle. Alexander Central lost during its first week of the season and thus dropped from the No. 1 ranking.
But Wilkinson quickly returned to the circle once her ailing arm recovered and the Cougars have been untouchable ever since. Along the way, Wilkinson has set nearly every career pitching record for the state of North Carolina, including a pair in last week's playoff win over South Caldwell.
Estrella Foothills, meanwhile, dropped all the way out of the Xcellent 25 and, in fact, does not appear in this week's expanded top 50 rankings. The reason is that Winslow, the team that defeated Estrella Foothills, also lost in the state finals. And there just wasn't room for three Arizona Division III teams among the top 50 teams in the nation.
Among the newcomers to the top 25 this week include three state champions from Florida - No. 22 Durant (8A), No. 19 Pembroke Pines Charter (6A) and No. 21 Chamberlain (7A). Glenbard North, the No. 1 team in Illinois, also makes it at No. 24 while Soddy Daisy enters at No. 25.
MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Softball Rankings
1. (2) Alexander Central (Taylorsville, N.C.), 26-1
Chelsea Wilkinson became the all-time state leader in career wins and shutouts in the Cougars' 8-0 playoff win over South Caldwell last week. Wilkinson threw a one-hitter for her 110th win. The shutout was her 82nd. She added 16 strikeouts to give her 1,363 in her career.
2. (6) Amador Valley (Pleasanton, Calif.), 22-0
The Dons completed the regular season with a pair of shutout wins over California (San Ramon) and San Ramon Valley (Danville), winning by scores of 3-0 and 5-0 respectively. The San Ramon Valley win marked the seventh straight shutout for Amador Valley.
3. (7) Keystone (La Grange, Ohio), 27-0
Defeated Brookside 11-0 in the first round of the Ohio Division II district playoffs and then topped Bay Village Bay 13-6 in the second round on Tuesday.
4. (8) Beech (Hendersonville, Tenn.), 47-1
Beech opened the region tournament with an 8-0 win over Northeast. Also defeated Mt. Juliet twice last week to give it 41 straight wins. Will play Mt. Juliet again today in the second round of the regional tournament.
5. (5) Topsail (Hampstead, N.C.), 25-0
Defeated Farmville Central 10-0 and Whiteville 1-0 in the first two rounds of the North Carolina 2A state playoffs.
Emily Lockman, Norco
Photo by Heston Quan
Defeated JW North 6-0 to finish regular season and capture the Big VIII championship. Norco opens the postseason on Thursday against either Yucaipa or Great Oak.
7. (3) Pacifica (Garden Grove, Calif.), 26-2
Pacifica lost to Cypress 1-0 in the final game of the regular season. The Empire League champions take on either Rosary or Fountain Valley in the first round.
8. (10) Walla Walla (Wash.), 21-1
Walla Walla won the district title with a 9-2 win over Richland, the only team to beat Walla Walla this season.
Alyson Ambler had eight strikeouts in the win and also had a home run.
9. (13) The Woodlands (Texas), 29-4
The Highlanders continued their quest toward a second straight Texas 5A state championship with a 12-5 win over Tomball. Taylor O'Dell had a three-run homer for The Woodlands and Paige McDuffee had a double that sparked a six-run rally in the fifth inning.
10. (14) Porter Ridge (Indian Trail, N.C.), 27-0
Defeated Mallard Creek 10-0 in the first round of the North Carolina 4A state playoffs and then topped a once-beaten Lake Norman squad 3-1 in the second round.
11. (15) Northern (Owings, Md.), 20-0
Did not play last week.
12. (20) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 25-2
The Monarchs completed West Catholic Athletic League play with an 11-4 win over Presentation (San Jose) and a 1-0 victory over Valley Christian (San Jose).
Jazmyn Jackson,
Kiersten Nordin and
Chiara Biagini all homered against Presentation.
13. (21) El Diamante (Visalia, Calif.), 29-1
Defeated Golden West 1-0 on a no-hitter by
Sierra Hyland, who also had 13 strikeouts and one walk in the win.
14. (23) Plano East (Plano, Texas), 32-3
Defeated Flower Mound 3-2 in the Texas 5A state playoffs.
Rachel Scott,
Holly Kern and
Ashleigh Hinshaw all doubled in the win.
15. (24) Red Mountain (Mesa, Ariz.), 35-3
Defeated Mountain Ridge 5-3 in the semifinals and Basha 5-2 in the Arizona Division 1 championship game.
Jordan Beck had a home run in the win over Basha, driving in three runs.
16. (11) Tomball (Texas), 25-4
Lost to the Woodlands 12-5 in the Texas 5A playoffs and was eliminated from the postseason.
17. (18) Poland Seminary (Poland, Ohio), 21-2
Opened the post season with a 19-0 win over Marlington.
Erin Gabriel struck out 14. Also defeated Beloit West Branch 9-0 in the second round to advance to the district finals against Canfield.
18. (25) Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.), 24-1
Won WCAC title with 5-0 win over Elizabeth Seton. Gave up seven runs all season with 20 shutouts.
19. (NR) Pembroke Pines Charter (Pembroke Pines, Fla.), 22-4
Defeated Niceville 1-0 in the Florida 6A state finals with
Cristina Sacramento throwing no-hit ball into the seventh inning. She finished with 18 strikeouts.
Victoria Gonzalez scored the only run of the game with a home run. The title is the first for Jaguars.
20. (4) Niceville (Fla.), 29-3
Beat Eau Gallie 8-4 in a big semifinal showdown, but lost in the 6A state championship game 1-0 to Pembroke Pines Charter.
21. (NR) Chamberlain (Tampa, Fla.), 27-4
Defeated Bartow 9-8 for the Florida 7A state championship.
Madison Gonzalez hit a two-run homer with two outs in the seventh to give the Chiefs the come-from-behind win.
22. (NR) Durant (Plant City, Fla.), 24-4
Defeated Palmetto 8-2 in the Florida 8A state championship game.
Brooke Freeman hit a two-run homer for Durant, which also took advantage of four Palmetto errors.
23. (19) Eau Gallie (Melbourne, Fla.), 28-3
Lost to Niceville 8-4 in the Florida 6A state semifinals. Season over.
24. (NR) Glenbard North (Carol Stream, Ill.), 24-1
Ranked No. 1 in the state of Illinois by the Chicago Tribune.
25. (NR) Soddy Daisy (Tenn.), 33-3-2
Advanced to the second round of the region tournament with a 6-0 win over White County.
The Other 25
26. (NR) North Davidson (Lexington, N.C.), 25-3
Defeated South Alamance 4-2 to advance to the third round of the North Carolina 4A state playoffs.
27. (NR) Pearland (Texas), 35-5
Lost the first game of the regional quarterfinal with Brazoswood 1-0, but won the next two 3-2 and 2-1 to advance to the regional semifinals in the Texas Class 5A state playoffs.
28. (NR) Allen County (Scottsville, Ky.), 28-3
Ranked No. 1 in Kentucky, Allen County knocked off Russell County 4-0 and Apollo 2-0 already this week.
29. (NR) Katy (Texas), 30-1
Edged Cy Fair 3-0 to advance to the regional semifinals against Deer Park.
30. (NR) Palmetto (Miami, Fla.), 23-7
Advanced to the Florida 8A state championship game with a 5-4 win over Jupiter, but lost to Durant 8-2 in the finals.
31. (16) Jupiter (Fla.), 23-7
Lost 5-4 to Miami Palmetto in the Florida 8A state semifinals. Season over.
32. (17) Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.), 27-3
Season complete.
33. (NR) American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), 27-4
Won the Florida 5A state championship with a 4-0 win over Bellview.
34. (NR) Basha (Chandler, Ariz.), 33-6
Lost to Red Mountain 5-2 in the Arizona Division 1 state finals. Season over.
35. (NR) Bryant (Ark.), 33-0
Ranked No. 1 in Arkansas Class 7A.
36. (NR) Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.), 25-4
Won the Trinity League championship and is ranked No. 3 in the Southern Section Division 1 rankings.
37. (NR) Sparkman (Harvest, Ala.), 34-6
Ranked No. 1 in the state of Alabama heading into this week's state tournament.
38. (NR) Sam Houston (Lake Charles, La.), 23-4
Defeated Hahnville 2-1 in nine innings for Louisiana 5A state championship.
39. (NR) Canyon del Oro (Tucson, Ariz.), 33-5
Defeated Sunrise Mountain 11-9 to win Arizona Division 2 state championship.
40. (22) Sunrise Mountain (Peoria, Ariz.), 33-2
Defeated Ironwood Ridge 1-0 in the semifinals and lost to Canyon del Oro 11-9 in the Division 2 state finals.
41. (NR) Vestavia Hills (Ala.), 51-7
Ranked No. 2 in state of Alabama heading into this week's state tournament.
Kennedy Urbany, O'Connor
Photo by Randy Jackson
Won its third straight Florida 4A state championship.
43. (NR) Volcano Vista (Albuquerque, N.M.), 29-1
Rebounded from its only loss of the season in the semifinals to capture the New Mexico 5A state championship.
44. (NR) North Medford (Medford, Ore.), 23-1
Ranked No. 1 in the Oregon 6A state rankings.
45. (NR) Hahnville (Boutte, La.), 31-2
Lost to Sam Houston 2-1 in nine innings in the Louisiana 5A state championship game.
46. (NR) Woodinville (Wash.), 17-0
Only undefeated 4A team in the state of Washington.
47. (NR) O'Connor (Helotes, Texas), 28-2
Came back to beat Clark 5-2 in game 2 and 3-2 in game 3 after losing game 1 by a score of 5-2. Advances to the regional semifinals against Edinburg.
48. (NR) Los Alamitos (Calif.), 22-6
The Sunset League champs are ranked No. 4 in the Southern Section Division 1 coaches poll.
49. (NR) Hoover (North Canton, Ohio), 18-3
The defending Ohio Division I state champions have advanced to the second round of the state playoffs.
50. (NR) Immaculate Heart Academy (Washington Township, N.J.), 20-0
Ranked No. 1 in the state of New Jersey.
