The Class 7A bracket in Florida is arguably the toughest road to a high school softball state title. Four teams in the MaxPreps Top 25 high school softball rankings are in the 7A tournament and play in this week's Regional Semifinals this week.
On Tuesday, third-ranked
Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.) meets No. 11
Newsome (Lithia, Fla.) for the second time in 13 days. This one is win-or-go-home. In Round One, it was a pair of sophomores for the Mustangs that helped lift Lakewood Ranch to a 2-0 victory.
Amanda Lee knocked in two runs and
Olivia Laney pitched a complete-game six hitter. The winner plays Friday in the Regional Finals.
Neshoba Central (Philadelphia, Miss.) continues to climb up the rankings. The Rockets are 29-0 and play for a Mississippi 5A state title starting Wednesday. They have won 46 straight games.
Ella Coiner, Lakewood Ranch
Photo by Stacy White
Record: 32-0 |
Last week: 1
Isabella Ruff and
Marley Neises each had three hits in a 15-1 win over Southwest. The Lions take on Medina Valley in the Regional Quarterfinals starting Friday.
2. Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, Texas)
Record: 33-2 |
Last week: 2
The Eagles advanced and play Friendswood. These two met in early February — a 3-1 Barbers Hill win.
3. Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record: 26-2 |
Last week: 3
Taylor Shephard and
Ella Coiner each had a home run in the Mustangs 15-8 playoff win over Steinbrenner.
4. Park Vista (Lake Worth, Fla.)
Record: 26-0 |
Last week: 4
Sophomore
Chloe Fariello pitched a complete game in a 3-0 win over Jupiter.
5. Marist (Chicago)
Record: 20-0 |
Last week: 5
In 20 games, the RedHawks have scored 199 runs and allowed 14.
6. Norco (Calif.)
Record: 15-1 |
Last week: 6
The Cougars have won 14 straight.
7. Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.)
Record: 43-2-1 |
Last week: 7
Anyce Harvey and
Hannah Dorsett combined for nine hits as the Huskies defeated Vestavia 21-6 in the 7A Area 6 championship game.
8. Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas)
Record: 36-0 |
Last week: 9
The Lions combined for 33 hits and 28 runs in two Area play games last week.
9. University (Orange City, Fla.)
Record: 23-0 |
Last week: 10
Sophomore
Annalyn Duncan had three hits as the Titans advanced to the 7A Regional Semifinals.
10. Neshoba Central (Philadelphia, Miss.)
Record: 29-0 |
Last week: 11
The seven-time defending Class 5A champs will play East Central.
11. Newsome (Lithia, Fla.)
Record: 25-1 |
Last week: 12
Freshman
Karley Shelton homered and doubled as the Wolves came from behind to beat Palm Harbor University 7-6.
12. Spring-Ford (Royersford, Pa.)
Record: 14-0 |
Last week: 13
Have outscored opponents 122-7.
13. Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.)
Record: 25-2 |
Last week: 14
Since playoffs have begun, the Firebirds have outscored their first three opponents 47-0.
14. Judson (Converse, Texas)
Record: 29-1 |
Last week: 16
The Rockets have now won 25 straight dating back to late February.
15. Mater Dei Catholic (Chula Vista, Calif.)
Record: 15-0 |
Last week: 17
Gisselle Garcia knocked in the lone run in the 10th inning to beat Otay Ranch 1-0. She also pitched a complete game.
16. Williamsburg (Ohio)
Record: 22-0 |
Last week: 18
Morehead State commit
Madi Ogden has now struck out 273 batters in 113 innings pitched.
17. Barbe (Lake Charles, La.)
Record: 31-2 |
Last week: 19
Louisiana 5A state champion. Season over.
18. Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.)
Record: 21-0 |
Last week: 20
Lancers advanced to the second round of the 4A playoffs after an 11-0 win over Apache Junction.
19. Bob Jones (Madison, Ala.)
Record: 29-3 |
Last week: 21
The Patriots will play Hunstville on Friday in North Regional playoff action.
20. Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.)
Record: 15-0 |
Last week: 22
Jessica Oakland hit two home runs on Friday. The Minnesota commit now has 11 on the season.
21. Villa Park (Calif.)
Record: 15-1 |
Last week: 23
The Spartans went 2-0 last week.
22. South Gibson (Medina, Tenn.)
Record: 29-1 |
Last week: 24
Erica Carpenter threw a complete game in a 4-1 win to start postseason play.
23. Westlake (Westlake Village, Calif.)
Record: 12-1 |
Last week: 25
The lone loss on the season was to Newbury Park in late April. On Monday, the Warriors got revenge winning 14-1.
24. Lake Central (St. John, Ind.)
Record: 19-1 |
Last week: 15
The Indians lost to Crown Point on Wednesday. The two have now split the series.
25. Rocklin (Calif.)
Record: 14-1 |
Last week: NR
UCLA commit
Jayla Castro has five home runs and is batting .542. The Thunder have five games remaining.
On the bubble: Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.),
Crown Point (Ind.),
Mahopac (N.Y.),
Benson (Ariz.),
Clear Springs (League City, Texas)
