Del Oro (Loomis) starts the season as the top-ranked team in the preseason Top 25 Sac-Joaquin Section softball rankings. The Golden Eagles are the returning Division I NorCal champions and have the talent to make another deep postseason run in 2026.
Del Oro joins fellow Sierra Foothill League opponents
Whitney (Rocklin),
Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) and
Rocklin in the Top 5. The SFL has six teams ranked to start the season.
The first allowable contest is Feb. 10 as the season is fast approaching. Returning section champions include Oak Ridge, Whitney,
Vanden (Fairfield),
Destiny Christian Academy (Sacramento),
Calaveras (San Andreas),
Argonaut (Jackson) and
Foresthill. The race for a blue banner is on.
1. Del Oro (Loomis)Ace and Cal commit
Mikayla Finn returns after finishing her sophomore campaign 21-1 in the circle with over 200 strikeouts. North Dakota State University signee
Chloe Champas also returns to a loaded Golden Eagle lineup.
2. Destiny Christian Academy (Sacramento)When your two aces are LSU commit
Ayla Tuua and Purdue commit
Roxanne Sardo you will always be tough to beat. The two seniors are back alongside other big-time talent in 2026.
3. Whitney (Rocklin)The Wildcats return as the Division II section champions and bring back all three pitchers who saw innings last year. Whitney may have the top talent from top to bottom in the section, including sophomore ace
Taylor Cordell.
4. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills)The Trojans added to their collection of blue banners last season by taking home the Division I crown. They lose their main arm from 2025, but look for talents like LMU commit
Kennedi Freeland and Washington signee
Brooklyn Paratore to have monster years.
5. RocklinThe SFL train continues with the Thunder as Junior
Payton Prior finished 20-3 in the circle. At the plate, look for Coastal Carolina slugger
Savannah Lorenzini to have another big year.
6. Vanden (Fairfield)The reigning Division III section champs may have lost their main arm, but return most of their hitting lineup, including arguably one of the top bats in the country in
Niayli Calvo. The Florida commit batted an eye-popping .710 last season.
7. TracyThe Bulldogs are always in the mix and should be right there again. Watch out for a breakout season from Long Beach State commit and pitcher
Hayden Fell. Arizona commit
Taylor Sansaver is back as well and may be one of the toughest outs around.
8. Sheldon (Sacramento)The Huskies return two standouts in the circle with junior and UC Santa Barbara commit
Micah Kennedy and senior power pitcher
Kwinci Brown, who will play at Kentucky next fall.
9. Central Catholic (Modesto)The Raiders return all their pitchers from last year along with a lineup that always competes. Florida commit
Samantha Nichols led the team last season, batting nearly .500 and blasting seven home runs.
10. Pioneer (Woodland)The Patriots scored nearly seven runs per game in 2025 and return weapons capable of doing it again. Stanford commit
Marisa Bryson and
Caitlin Mayfield are players to watch.
11. MantecaThe Buffaloes had one senior on the roster last spring and finished 21-9. Cal State East Bay commit
Jocelyn Baptist and slapper
Sienna Owen are just a few of the many weapons in their lineup.
12. FolsomThe Bulldogs feature a mix of returners and fresh talent that will be battle-tested in the SFL. Senior
Raygan Mercado has pitched over 230 innings across the past two seasons.
13. Calaveras (San Andreas)The small-school power will be back and should be in the mix for another deep postseason run. North Dakota State commit
Kamryn Thornburg has mowed down 620 batters over the past two seasons.
14. Elk GroveThe Thundering Herd will be right in the mix for a Delta League championship. Sophomore
Izi Castillo had a breakout season as a freshman, leading the team with a .425 average.
15. Granite BayThe Grizzlies will feature a solid lineup that includes Cal Poly commits
Cam Lincoln and
Leilani Terrazas, along with California State University, Stanislaus pledge
Sami McKown.
16. Ponderosa (Shingle Springs)The Bruins have one of the best sophomores in the state in
Kate McCartney, who went yard nine times last year. Southern Oregon commit
Haley Warney returns in the circle alongside freshman
Lauren Klomp.
17. Inderkum (Sacramento)The Tigers return a talented lineup that includes
Natalie Aboosh, who pitched 86 innings as a freshman. Fellow sophomore
Brielle Collins led the team last season with a .417 batting average.
18. LodiSt. John's commit
Abby Schweigerdt takes over most of the innings in the circle this season. She was also the team's top hitter last year, batting .477.
19. Woodcreek (Roseville)Coach Gary Ybarra consistently puts together a solid squad. The team will enjoy an all-new on-campus stadium this year. Players like UC Davis pledge
Chloe Preuss will look to defend their CVC title.
20. VacavilleThe Bulldogs always boast one of the strongest lineups in the section. Idaho State University commit
Laila Dean and junior
Maddie Rhodus will be tough outs all season long.
21. MercedThe Bears return a CSU Monterey Bay commit
Annalise Ramirez, who posted a 1.06 ERA across 105 innings as a junior while striking out 148 batters.
22. Franklin (Elk Grove)The Wildcats bring back a talented young core in 2026. As a freshman,
Leilani Garcia logged over 140 innings in the circle.
23. West Park (Roseville)Boise State commit
Jolene White batted .548 and returns in 2026. Expect the Panthers to feature a strong group of new talent as they chase a Metro League title.
24. OakdaleThe Mustangs are never a team to count out in the always-tough Valley Oak League. University of Nebraska at Kearney commit
Reese Donaldson and Southwestern Oklahoma State University pledge
Audrey Romiti return in 2026.
25. DavisThe Blue Devils return their top five hitters from last season, along with ace
Kaytlin LeBar-Triepke. The 6-foot junior pitched over 100 innings in 2025.