It was fitting the final play of the Texas 5A state championship was a swing and a miss. Texas commit
Sophia Simpson of
Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, Texas) struck out her 14th batter of the day and 271st on the season as the Eagles topped Aledo 4-1.
The top-ranked team in the country finished with 37-straight wins and capped the year with its first state championship. Barbers Hill also all but locked up the No. 1 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 high school softball rankings.
Staying in Texas,
Deer Park moved up 10 spots after knocking off Judson 1-0 in the 6A finals as
Hannah Benavides threw shutouts in both the semifinal and state title game.
In Southern California, postseason play has begun as No. 3
Norco has advanced to the Division 1 quarterfinals. The Cougars lone loss of the season was to Los Alamitos, their Tuesday opponent.
Perry (Massillon, Ohio) made an incredible run in the Division 1 Ohio state playoffs. Cleveland State commit
Missy Holzopfel allowed one hit and struck out 12 as the Panthers beat Watkins Memorial 1-0 to take home the title.
Stevie Hansen, Norco
Photo by Ryan Aguirre
Record: 42-2 |
Last week: 1
The Eagles allowed fewer than two runs in 39 games this season.
2. Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record: 30-2 |
Last week: 2
Season complete, Florida 7A champions
3. Norco (Calif.)
Record: 26-1 |
Last week: 3
The Cougars outscored its first two playoff opponents 24-0.
4. Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.)
Record: 49-3-1 |
Last week: 4
Season complete, Alabama 7A champions
5. Neshoba Central (Philadelphia, Miss.)
Record: 31-0 |
Last week: 5
Season complete, Mississippi 5A champions
6. Spring-Ford (Royersford, Pa.)
Record: 21-0 |
Last week: 6
The Rams won their playoff opener 10-0 with quarterfinals play on Thursday.
7. Doral Academy (Doral, Fla.)
Record: 29-2 |
Last week: 7
Season complete, Florida 6A champions
8. Barbe (Lake Charles, La.)
Record: 31-2 |
Last week: 9
Season complete, Louisiana 5A state champion
9. Deer Park (Texas)
Record: 38-8 |
Last week: 19
Erin Perez drove in the lone run as the Lady Deer beat Judson 1-0 to win the school's third state championship.
10. Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.)
Record: 23-0 |
Last week: 10
Season complete, Arizona 4A state champion
11. Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.)
Record: 23-0 |
Last week: 11
Jaz Hsiao hit two home runs and drove four runs as the Lancers advanced in the Central Coast Section playoffs.
12. Lake Central (St. John, Ind.)
Record: 31-1 |
Last week: 12
A Saturday showdown looms with No. 17 Roncalli for the Indiana 4A state title.
13. Marist (Chicago)
Record: 33-1 | 13
The RedHawks play Oak Park on Tuesday in the sectional semifinals.
14. Xavier College Prep (Phoenix)
Record: 19-2 |
Last week: 14
Season complete, Arizona 6A state champion
15. Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Record: 26-1 |
Last week: 15
Season complete, Tennessee Division II Class AA state champion
16. West Stanly (Oakboro, N.C.)
Record: 20-0 | Last week: 16
Season complete, North Carolina 2A champions
17. Roncalli (Indianapolis)
Record: 30-2 |
Last week: 20
The No. 1 team in the state will be determined Saturday night.
18. Perry (Massillon, Ohio)
Record: 28-6 |
Last week: NR
Grace Miller had three hits in the Ohio Division 1 state title game.
19. Westlake (Westlake Village, Calif.)
Record: 19-2 | Last week: NR
The Warriors play Tuesday against undefeated Grand Terrace in the Division II Southern Section playoffs.
20. Judson (Converse, Texas)
Record: 35-3 | Last week: 8
Season complete, Texas 6A runner up
21. Mahopac (N.Y.)
Record: 16-1 |
Last week: NR
Lauren Zecca had a pair of hits, a home run and drove in four in a 20-0 win on Friday.
22. Willow Canyon (Surprise, Ariz.)
Record: 22-1 |
Last week: NR
Season complete, Arizona 5A champions
23. Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas)
Record: 38-2 |
Last week: 23
Season complete, lost in Texas 5A regional finals
24. Park Vista (Lake Worth, Fla.)
Record: 29-1 |
Last week: 24
Season over: Florida 7A runner-up
25. Fairhope (Ala.)
Record: 42-6 |
Last week: 25
Season over: Alabama 7A runner-up
Next five: Rocklin (Calif.),
Sabino (Tucson, Ariz.),
University (Orange City, Fla.),
Aledo (Texas),
Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio)
