Newly-crowned state champions headline this week's MaxPreps Top 25 high school softball rankings

The race for the national title is heating up as the first high school softball state champions in the updated MaxPreps Top 25 have been crowned.

Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, La.) claimed its fifth-straight championship in dominant fashion, blanking D'Arbonne Woods (Farmerville) 12-0 in the Division III Select title game. Junior Georgia commit Kynzee Anderson tossed a no-hitter in the victory. Remarkably, no seniors played in the championship — a testament to the program’s youth. The team also flexed serious power, launching 91 home runs this season.

Also in Louisiana, Sam Houston (Lake Charles) enters the MaxPreps Top 25 after capturing the Division I Non-Select state title. A clutch RBI single by Taelyn Droddy in the bottom of the sixth lifted the Broncos to a dramatic 3-2 win over Dutchtown (Geismar).

Top-ranked Melissa (Texas) continues its march toward a state championship and a spot in the record books. The Cardinals have now hit 104 home runs this season — inching closer to the national record — and boast a staggering 213 extra-base hits as a team.

1. Melissa (Texas)
Record: 32-0 | Last week: 1
Florida commit Kennedy Bradley smashed two home runs, including a grand slam, as the Cardinals advanced to the Conference 5A Division 1 regional semifinals.

2. Summerville (S.C.)
Record: 26-0 | Last week: 2
South Carolina commit Ansley Bennett closed the regular season out with a bang as she tossed a perfect game while striking out 17.
Record: 40-2 | Last week: 3
The Makos rolled through area play and move on to regionals beginning Tuesday.

4. Katy (Texas)
Record: 36-1 | Last week: 4
Caylee Gaytan struck out 12 as the Tigers beat Cy-Fair in a two-game series to advance to the Conference 6A Division 1 regional semifinals.

5. Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.)
Record: 26-1 | Last week: 7
The Firebirds will open 6A state play May 8 against Miami Beach.

6. Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas)
Record: 31-0 | Last week: 6
The Lions handled business in Conference 5A Division 2 area play and now will face Georgetown in the regional semifinals.

8. Norco (Calif.)
Record: 24-3 | Last week: 5
The Cougars close out the regular season Tuesday at home against Santiago.

9. Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, La.)
Record: 37-1 | Last week: 13
Sophomore Carlie Guile had three hits and three RBI helping the Cavaliers to a fifth-consecutive state title.

10. Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, Texas)
Record: 31-3 | Last week: 10
Hailey Nutter and Macie Bryant were nearly flawless in the circle as the Eagles swept a two-game series over College Station in Conference 5A Division 1 regional play.

11. Coahoma (Texas)
Record: 28-0 | Last week: 8
Hannah Wells mowed down 14 in the circle and hit her 24th home run of the season as the Bulldogs advanced in 3A D2 play.

12. Rosary Academy (Fullerton, Calif.)
Record: 24-2-1 | Last week: 12
K'lene Gutierrez went yard during a 11-1 win over Northwood. The Royals have now won 15 in a row.

13. Del Oro (Loomis, Calif.)
Record: 22-1 | Last week: 22
Junior Kate Brown went deep and the Golden Eagles exploded for 18 hits during a 15-5 win over Folsom on Friday.

14. Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.)
Record: 39-4 | Last week: 15
The Warriors open 7A East Regional play Tuesday against Hewitt-Trussville.

15. Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Fla.)
Record: 25-1 | Last week: 17
The Warriors open 2A state play Wednesday against Clearwater Central Catholic.

16. Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
Record: 22-4 | Last week: 9
The Lancers close out the regular season at Mater Dei on Tuesday.

17. Curry (Jasper, Ala.)
Record: 47-3 | Last week: 18
The Yellowjackets have 24 shutouts this season as they advance to the 4A regionals on Tuesday.

18. Neshannock (New Castle, Pa.)
Record: 16-0 | Last week: 16
Addy Frye hit two jacks and also struck out 17 in the circle as the Lancers beat Armstrong 9-3 on Thursday.

19. Central (Phenix City, Ala.)
Record: 43-3 | Last week: 24
The Red Devils have now won 27-straight and will play Dothan next in 7A regional play.

20. Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.)
Record: 14-0 | Last week: 20
Sophomore M.J. Melvin had a pair of hits and three RBI during an 11-3 win over Our Lady of Good Counsel on Friday.

21. Lincoln-Way Central (New Lenox, Ill.)
Record: 18-1 | Last week: 21
Teagan Berkshire smacked a home run and drove in four runs as the Knights beat Lockport 8-2 on Thursday.

22. La Salle Academy (Providence, R.I.)
Record: 15-0 | Last week: 22
Elle Kershaw hit two home runs while Samantha Sell and Nikki Pallotta also hit bombs during Sunday's 6-1 win over Silver Lake Regional.

23. Hernando (Miss.)
Record: 29-1 | Last week: 25
The Tigers took two of three from Lewisburg to advance to the 7A state semifinals against Madison Central.

24. Sam Houston (Lake Charles, La.)
Record: 30-2 | Last week: 34
Pitcher Kailyn Mire played a key role in helping the Broncos capture their first state title since 2015.

25. Desert Mountain (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Record: 26-1-1 | Last week: 25
Senior Zoe Horning hit a home run as the Wolves opened postseason play with a 13-0 win over Campo Verde.

Next 25

26. Kingwood (Texas)
27. Kenosha Bradford (Kenosha, Wis.)
28. Marist (Chicago, Ill.)
29. Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.)
30. Forney (Texas)
31. Pace (Fla.)
32. Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills, Calif.)
33. Centennial (Las Cruces, N.M.)
34. Destiny Christian Academy (Sacramento, Calif.)
35. North DeSoto (Stonewall, La.)
36. Palo Verde (Las Vegas, Nev.)
37. Coral Springs Charter (Coral Springs, Fla.)
38. Gaylord (Mich.)
39. George County (Lucedale, Miss.)
40. Springville (Ala.)
41. Central East (Fresno, Calif.)
42. Northwest Rankin (Brandon, Miss.)
43. Donovan Catholic (Toms River, N.J.)
44. Oswego (Ill.)
45. Bentonville (Ark.)
46. Kenton Ridge (Springfield, Ohio)
47. Rocklin (Calif.)
48. Etiwanda (Calif.)
49. South Warren (Bowling Green, Ky.)
50. St. John-Vianney (Holmdel, N.J.)