Roncalli (Indianapolis) and
Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas) dominated the high school softball scene last spring, ending the season with a combined 74-0 record and holding down the top two spots in the national rankings. Both programs are expected to be just as strong this year and open 2023 at No. 1 and No. 2 in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.
At the center of it are two of the best pitchers in the Class of 2023,
Keagan Rothrock of Roncalli and
Ava Brown of Lake Creek. Both are committed to Florida, but their focus for now is on another undefeated state championship campaign.
Georgetown is another Lone Star State club to watch out for after the Eagles fell to Lake Creek in the 5A state championship game in 2022.
Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton) has been a fixture in the national rankings in recent seasons. The Mustangs have won back-to-back state titles in Florida and have the pieces for a three-peat.
St. Amant, Louisiana's top-ranked team, closed out 2022 with an impressive 31-game win streak on its way to another Class 5A state championship.
In California, there isn't a clear favorite heading into 2023 as the talent is is everywhere up and down the state. This could be a year where several different teams bounce in and out of the rankings until the very end.
Read on for a complete look at the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school softball rankings.
1. Roncalli (Indianapolis)2022 record: 33-0
In addition to Rothrock, the Royals have some major players returning, including Virginia Tech commit
Lyla Blackwell and Marian University commit
Abbey Hofmann. Blackwell batted .523 and stole 33 bases while Hoffman hit 10 home runs and drove in 55.
2. Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas) 2022 record: 41-0
LSU commit
Maddie McKee returns for her senior season after batting over .500 for three consecutive seasons. Junior
Carmen Uribe also had a strong 2022 with a .504 batting average.
2022 record: 34-4
4. Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.)2022 record: 30-2
Todd Lee takes over after coach T.J. Goelz stepped down after leading the team to two consecutive titles. Key players include
Ella Dodge, a 2022 MaxPreps Underclass All-American pitcher.
2022 record: 33-2
Boston College commit and MaxPreps All-American
Addison Jackson returns for her senior season, seeking a third state title as the team's ace. Joining her is junior third base LSU commit
Alix Franklin, who hit a monster home run in the state championship game.
2022 record: 23-5
Class of 2024 pitcher and Texas commit
Cambria Salmon had a remarkable season with a 0.52 ERA and 309 strikeouts in 160 innings last spring. She is a powerful right-hander who can also swing the bat. Oregon State commit
Leah Mays also returns for the Cougars.
7. Benton (Ark.)
2022 record: 32-0
The Panthers have a remarkable 64-game winning streak dating back to the beginning of the 2021 season.
Alyssa Houston, the MaxPreps Arkansas State Player of the Year, is back for her senior season. The Stanford commit is a formidable player both in the circle and at the plate.
8. Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.)2022 record: 32-2
The Lancers aim to win their fifth consecutive state title and have the talent to do so. BYU commit and 2022 MaxPreps All-American
Gianna Mares returns after an impressive 18-0 record in the circle during her junior year. The team also has several talented Class of 2024 pitchers.
9. Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.)
2022 record: 40-8
The 2022 7A state champions return with key players, including Auburn commit
Chalea Clemmons. She had a remarkable season, hitting nearly .500 and going 15-1 in the circle, pitching in some of the biggest moments of the team's postseason run.
10. Ballard (Louisville, Ky.)2022 record: 39-0
The Bruins aim to repeat their perfect season and first state championship. Louisville commit
Brooke Gray, who struck out 380 and went 32-0 in the circle, returns for her senior season. Kentucky commit
Emory Donaldson, who hit 15 home runs as a junior, also returns.
11. Melbourne (Fla.)
2022 record: 26-2-1
Return with young talent from the 6A state championship team led by Florida State commit
Jasmine Francik, who struck out 11 in a two-hit shutout in the state title game.
Alisha Thompson, who hit nine home runs last season, returns for her junior season.
12. Rockridge (Taylor Ridge, Ill.)2022 record: 35-0
Despite losing some talented seniors from the 2022 state championship team, the Rockets are ready to reload. Reigning state player of the year
Kendra Lewis, a Wisconsin commit, leads the team in the circle toward a third consecutive state title.
13. Clovis North (Fresno, Calif.)2022 record: 21-3
Arizona commit
Ryan Maddox struck out 264 in the circle. She joins a talented squad back for 2023.
14. Bend (Ore.)2022 record: 29-2
UCLA commit and top-ranked player in the Class of 2024,
Addisen Fisher, will return to the bump under a new coaching staff.
Gracie Goewey, who has hit 25 career home runs, will also return.
15. Pace (Fla.)2022 record: 25-5
The Jaguars were young in 2022 but have one of the top hitting lineups in the state and country. UCLA commit
Margaret Daniel and Oregon commit
Katherine Flannery are among the key returnees.
Stanford commit
Zoe Prystajko returns to the circle for the 2023 season. She is joined by Arizona outfield commit
Sophia Knight. The Oilers' home field is considered the mecca of travel softball.
24. Triway (Wooster, Ohio)2022 record: 30-2
The Titans battled their way to a Division II state championship in 2022. Georgia Tech commit
Carter Wachtel struck out over 300 batters during her sophomore year while fanning 10 with two hits during Triway's 2-1 championship victory over Alder.
25. Hanover (Mechanicsville, Va.)2022 record: 23-1
Defending Class 4A state champions return Virginia 2023 commit
Julia Cuozzo after going 18-1 in the circle as a junior. North Carolina commit
Lillian Parrish (Class of 2024) and Campbell commit
Emma Slutzah are also returning studs.
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