Seven new teams join the MaxPreps Top 25 high school softball rankings this week — a result of high-stakes performances and championship wins that are reshaping the national picture.
Orange Beach, the reigning national champion, continued its dynasty by capturing a fifth-straight state title in Alabama, defeating
Curry (Jasper) 9-2 to secure the Class 4A crown. The Makos have a strong argument for the No. 1 ranking once again. They fell in the season opener and lost to No. 9
Thompson (Alabaster) — a setback they avenged just a week later with a commanding 7-0 win.
Speaking of Thompson, the Warriors authored one of the most inspiring runs of the postseason, battling through six consecutive elimination games after losing to
Sparkman (Harvest) in Alabama's Class 7A bracket. Over two grueling days, they powered through to win the program’s fourth state title, capped by a two-game sweep of
Tuscaloosa County (Northport).
In Mississippi,
Northwest Rankin (Brandon) finished the year on a nine-game win streak and claimed its third straight state championship, dominating
Hernando in the final by a combined score of 17-3.
extended one of the most remarkable streaks in high school softball, winning its 13th consecutive state championship. The Knights edged
St. Catherine's (Richmond) 1-0 thanks to a clutch RBI from
Abby Bond and a standout pitching performance by George Mason commit
Bri Lencz. O'Connell will enter the 2026 campaign riding a 75-game win streak.
Centennial (Las Cruces, N.M.) captured its second-straight state championship to cap a 30-0 season. New Mexico State signee
Destiny Perez was lights-out this year, batting over .500 and finishing 22-0 in the circle.
And in Arizona,
Desert Mountain (Scottsdale) made it three consecutive 5A titles with a 4-0 win over
Canyon del Oro (Tucson) on Monday night.
Zoe Horning sparked the offense with two doubles and a pair of RBI, while
Lilly Goodwin dominated in the circle with 17 strikeouts.
Palo Verde outscored opponents 237-43 en route to a 25-0 record and Class 5A state championship in Nevada. (PHOTO: Ed Andersen)
36-1
| Last week: 1
The Cardinals fell for the first time this season in the opener of a best-of-three series against Lake Belton but bounced back with 9-2 and 10-0 wins to advance. Up next is Aledo in the state semifinals.
2. Summerville (S.C.)Record: 31-0
| Last week: 2
Ansley Bennett tossed her third no-hitter of the season as the Green Wave blanked Sumter 3-0 on Monday.
Record: 47-2
| Last week: 3
The Makos finished with an 18-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 212-16 during that span.
4. Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.)Record: 29-1
| Last week: 4
Sarah Breaux had three hits, a home run and seven RBI, lifting the Firebirds to the 6A final four starting Friday.
5. Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas)Record: 34-0
| Last week: 5
The Lions swept Nederland to advance to the 5A semifinals this weekend.
6. Norco (Calif.)Record: 26-3
| Last week: 7
The Cougars play Chino Hills in the Division 1 Southern Section quarterfinal Wednesday.
7. Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, La.)Record: 37-1
| Last week: 8
Season complete. Division III Select state champions.
8. Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, Texas)Record: 32-3
| Last week: 9
The Eagles swept Angleton and earned a spot in the Conference 5A Division 1 semifinals this weekend.
9. Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.)Record: 47-6
| Last week: 13
Kadyn Bush pitched a complete-game shutout allowing just two hits as the Warriors beat Tuscaloosa County 9-0 to bring home another state title.
10. Coahoma (Texas)Record: 30-0
| Last week: 10
Baylor Wright hit a triple and drove in a pair as the Bulldogs advanced to the Conference 3A Division 2 semifinals.
11. Del Oro (Loomis, Calif.)Record: 27-1
| Last week: 12
Kate Brown,
Abby Davidson and
Avyn Brower all went yard as the Golden Eagles advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 1 semifinals.
12. Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.)Record: 25-1
| Last week: 14
Morgen Talley tossed a no-hitter while striking out 11 to help the Warriors to the 2A state semis.
13. Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.)Record: 32-4
| Last week: 40
Sophomore
Bella Pierce tossed a complete-game shutout while allowing four hits to help the Cougars bring home the 7A state championship.
14. Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.)Record: 20-0
| Last week: 20
The Knights have won a state championship in 29 of the past 32 seasons.
15. Etiwanda (Calif.)Record: 23-3 | Last week: 32
Brianna Gutierrez went deep and
Alyssa Galindo was lights out in the circle as the Eagles advanced to the Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals after a 3-1 win over La Habra.
16. Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.)Record: 30-1-1
| Last week: 25
The Wolves finished the season with a 27-game win streak.
17. Neshannock (New Castle, Pa.)Record: 20-0
| Last week: 16
Miley Anderson,
Brenna Frengel and the rest of the Lancer bats were on fire as they rolled past Apollo Ridge 14-2 in the Class 2A quarterfinals.
18. Pace (Fla.)Record: 23-3
| Last week: 30
The Patriots have not allowed a run in 6A state tournament play.
Hannah DeMarcus has 43 punch-outs over her past three games in the circle.
19. Lincoln-Way Central (New Lenox, Ill.)Record: 27-1
| Last week: 19
Carly Karales,
Katie King and
Kayla Doerre powered the offense Monday in a 16-3 win over Downers Grove South.
20. Sam Houston (Lake Charles, La.)Record: 32-2 | Last week: 20
Season complete. Division 1 Non-Select state champions.
21. Forney (Texas)Record: 32-1-1
| Last week: 25
The Jackrabbits beat Tomball 4-1 to advance to the Conference 6A Division 2 state semis.
22. Kingwood (Texas)Record: 32-4-1
| Last week: 26
The Mustangs play Dripping Springs in the Conference 6A Division 2 semifinals after sweeping a two-game series over Clear Creek.
23. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills, Calif.)Record: 22-4
| Last week: 31
Emery Glaser was on fire with four hits and
Brooklyn Paratore went deep as the Trojans beat Folsom 7-1.
24. Centennial (Las Cruces, N.M.)Record: 30-0
| Last week: 33
Aaliyah Betancourt got her squad rolling in the state final with a two-run home run.
25. Palo Verde (Las Vegas, Nev.)Record: 25-0
| Last week: 33
Alexis Kearnes and
Paige Brandes each had three hits in the 5A state championship game.
Next 2526.
Moody (Ala.)27.
Kenosha Bradford (Kenosha, Wis.)28.
Trinity Catholic (Ocala, Fla.)29.
North DeSoto (Stonewall, La.)30.
Curry (Jasper, Ala.)31.
Taunton (Mass.)32.
La Mirada (La Mirada, Calif.)33.
Destiny Christian Academy (Sacramento, Calif.)34.
La Salle Academy (Providence, R.I.)35.
Hernando (Miss.)36.
George County (Lucedale, Miss.)37.
Lake Central (St. John, Ind.)38.
Kenton Ridge (Springfield, Ohio)39.
Xavier College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.)40.
Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.)41.
Donovan Catholic (Toms River, N.J.)42.
Clear Springs (League City, Texas)43.
Rocklin (Calif.)44.
Oswego (Ill.)45.
Bentonville (Ark.)46.
Canyon del Oro (Tucson, Ariz.)47.
South Caldwell (Hudson, N.C.)48.
Marist (Chicago, Ill.)49.
South Warren (Bowling Green, Ky.)50.
Mercy (Farmington Hills, Mich.)
