Preseason Top 25 Sac-Joaquin Section high school softball rankings

Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) begins the season as the top-ranked team in the preseason Top 25 Sac-Joaquin Section softball rankings. The Trojans have won back-to-back Division 1 section titles and 11 overall.

The softball season is starting sooner this year, with the first allowable contest as early as Feb. 11 — two weeks ahead of last season. That means winter sports athletes who also play softball could return a month into the season. This will be something to watch during preseason play. Postseason play begins on May 12, with section finals on May 24.

Below are 25 teams to watch at the start of the season. Selections are based on returning players, program success and emerging talent.
1. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills)
The most dominant softball program in section history aims for a three-peat in 2025. They have the talent to do so with eight returners in the lineup.

2. Destiny Christian Academy (Sacramento)
The Lions return the top pitcher in the Class of 2026 in Ayla Tuua. Also back is junior and Fresno State commit McKayla Fulmer and East Texas A&M commit Maddi Woodcock.

3. Rocklin
The defending D2 section champs have a lot to be excited about this spring. Sophomore pitcher Payton Prior and outfielder Cat Alston had big freshman seasons in 2024. Coastal Carolina commit Savannah Lorenzini, Stanislaus State commit Marley Hogue, and Nevada Reno pledge Katelyn Wetteland make the Thunder lineup one of the best around.

4. Tracy
The Bulldogs welcome back ace Elisa Galli. She was the workhorse for the D2 section runner-up last spring. California commit Emalee Cargill and one of the top sophomores in the area, Taylor Sansaver, are key positions players returning for another deep postseason run.

5. Pioneer (Woodland)
The Patriots have a case for the most stacked lineup in the section. Stanford commit Marisa Bryson, Cornell pledge Sofia Hernandez, UNLV commit Caitlin Mayfield and Abril Parker are just a few of the big time returners.

6. Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove)
Columbia commit Madeline Lawson is back in the circle for the Eagles. The senior finished 2024 with a 0.85 ERA in over 107 innings. Fresno State commit Shealynn Stinson is another name to watch.

7. Vacaville
The Bulldogs are in the mix for having one of the toughest lineups to face in the SJS. Idaho State commit Laila Dean, catcher and Notre Dame commit Hayden Kyne, and East Tennessee pledge Talya Stonebraker all return.

8. Central Catholic (Modesto)
The Raiders have consistently made deep playoff runs over the past three seasons and have talent to do it again. Arizona State signee Jazzmarie Roberts, UNLV commit Taryn Calderon and sophomore Samantha Nichols are major weapons returning this spring.

9. Sheldon (Sacramento)
The Huskies were in almost every game last year and bring a lot of experience back in 2025. Kentucky commit Kwinci Brown can bring it in the circle. Simpson commit Madison Chapman was the team's top hitter last spring as a junior and joining her is sophomore slugger Miyani Marshall.

10. Whitney (Rocklin)
The Wildcats have some big shoes to fill in key positions, but this team seems to always reload. Two of the top bats in the area will be back for their senior seasons, San Diego State commit Tylie Kitchen and Boise State signee Alyssa Flindt.

11. Ponderosa (Shingle Springs)
The Bruins won a section title in 2023 and lost in the section semifinals last spring. They are looking for another deep run with returners like Humboldt commit Molly McFarland, Southern Oregon pledge Ellie Escobar, pitchers Sadie Ward, Haley Warney, and UC Riverside commit Marissa Granade.

12. Granite Bay
The Grizzlies had one of the toughest schedules in 2024 and return a bulk of their roster this spring. Sluggers Sami McKown and Madison Lopez, Cal Poly commits Leilani Terrazas and Cam Lincoln, and Concordia University, Irvine pledge Paetynn Snobar headline the list of returners.

13. Bella Vista (Fair Oaks)
Class of 2025 California State University, San Marcos signee Hailey Shiflet was a big reason the Broncos won the CVC last season as both a pitcher and their top hitter. She'll be back for her senior season joining players like catcher Laila Kirwan.

14. Lodi
The Flames return most of their starters from 2024. Senior and Stanislaus State commit Ashlyn Jubrey mowed down over 100 batters a junior. Another senior back is Colgate University commit Tealla Rivera, who hit .469 last spring.

15. Woodcreek (Roseville)
The Timberwolves will be young but also have some key seniors returning. Nicole Fonti hit .541 and Hawaii commit Maryn Macneil struck out 112 in in 81 innings as a junior.

16. Oakdale
The Mustangs lost a lot of talent to graduation but this is a program that reloads. They've not had a losing record since at least 2004, when MaxPreps began keeping records. University of the Pacific commit Jaelyn Lee is back in the circle this spring.

17. Dixon
The Rams are another team that loses a lot of talent to graduation, including their top four hitters and main pitcher. A player to keep an eye out this season is St. Mary's commit Emily Morris. She struck out 79 in 39 innings of work as a sophomore.

18. Del Oro (Loomis)
Not a typical year for the Golden Eagles in 2024, but they have young talent to make some noise this season. Utah Tech commit Abby Davidson, junior Chloe Champas and Kate Brown are a few players to watch.

19. Elk Grove
The Thundering Herd has some solid underclass players that will need to replace some solid bats lost to graduation. Expect big years from sophomores Kaylee Buck and Ryann Wolfe.

20. Folsom
Senior Shay Sacay brings speed, a good bat and a solid glove back for the Bulldogs. Embry-Riddle commit Presley Geissinger is another key player to keep an eye this spring.

21. Kimball (Tracy)
Senior Alexa Contreras has thrown in over 300 innings through her first three seasons with the Jaguars. The workhorse joins Saint Francis University commit Kaeliana DePerio and sophomore Saige Dodds aiming for another playoff run.

22. St. Francis (Sacramento)
The Troubadours welcome back Santa Clara commit Claire Krotine, who led the team in average, total hits, RBI and runs scored. Sophomore Kinsley Imm will take on the bulk of the innings for another SFL team in the Top 25.

23. Vanden (Fairfield)
Never count out the Vikings on the diamond as they always put out a competitive team. Fort Lewis College commit Isabella Cueva will be back in the circle after pitching in a 113 innings last spring. Sophomore Niayli Calvo hit six bombs and batted .483 as a freshman.

24. West Park (Roseville)
The Panthers were young in 2024 and return the majority of the lineup. Lefty Jolene White hit .466 as a freshman and helped lead the team to the school's first softball league championship.

25. Yuba City
Class of 2025 pitcher and hitter Tori Hernandez is looking to have another great year for the Honkers. Fellow senior Alexia Alvarez is back after hitting over .400 last spring.