Although several leagues will continue play into June,
Rocklin will finish as the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Top 25 Sac-Joaquin Section high school softball rankings. The Thunder closed out their season on Friday and secured an outright Sierra Foothill League championship.
Coach Asaro's squad played one of the toughest schedules in the Greater Sacramento Area, yet still allowed 23 total runs all season. The one-two-punch of
Brook Thompson and
Brielle Wright was near unhittable. Thompson, a senior right-hander, struck out 135 batters and finished with a 0.94 ERA. Wright, the junior lefty, punched out 74 batters in 42 innings.
Sheldon (Sacramento) moved up a spot and will end the season No. 2. The Huskies went a perfect 12-0 in the Delta League, which features four teams in MaxPreps Top 25.
No. 3
Roseville ended with 13-straight wins and was undefeated in the Capital Valley Conference. The Tigers were one of the hottest teams around to close out 2021.
Fourth-ranked
Vanden (Fairfield) slid a few spots. The Vikings fell because the amount of games they played. It's not on them, but we did have to consider that the teams ahead of them played at least nine more games.
With no postseason or official league champions, MaxPreps will still be naming an All-Section Team. If you feel an athlete is worth consideration, please email me at steve.montoya@cbs.com.
Jayla Castro, Rocklin
Photo by Curt Lerner
Record: 18-2 |
Last week: 1
UCLA commit
Jayla Castro closed out her senior season batting .500 with eight home runs.
2. Sheldon (Sacramento)
Record: 15-8 |
Last week: 3
The Huskies blasted a section best 38 home runs as a team. They also hit .432.
3. Roseville
Record: 19-4 |
Last week: 5
Senior
Isabela Papini went out with a bang driving in four runs with a home run in an 8-7 win over Inderkum.
4. Vanden (Fairfield)
Record: 11-0 |
Last week: 2
Season over.
5. Elk Grove
Record: 18-6 |
Last week: 4
The Thundering Herd showed all year long that when they had their top nine in the lineup they're tough to beat.
6. Del Oro (Loomis, Calif.)
Record: 16-6 |
Last week: 6
The Golden Eagles lose Clemson commit
Maddie Moore to graduation, but return a ton of talent and will be a preseason favorite in 2022.
7. St. Francis (Sacramento)
Record: 15-6 |
Last week: 7
UConn commits and twin sisters
Gracie and
Hope Jenkins will be back in 2022. The Delta League will once again be a powerhouse next season.
8. Vista del Lago (Folsom)
Record: 13-3 |
Last week: 8
The Eagles have five more games left, starting Monday at Center.
9. Folsom
Record: 12-7 |
Last week: 9
Junior
Emma Falen struck out 12 and
Gracie Carpenter robbed a home run as the Bulldogs beat Del Oro 1-0 on Wednesday.
10. Lincoln
Record: 18-4 |
Last week: 10
They finish out 2021 on Thursday against Oakmont. The last time they played the game went nine innings.
11. Oakmont (Roseville)
Record: 16-5 |
Last week: 11
The Vikings look for revenge Thursday at Lincoln.
12. Escalon
Record: 16-1 |
Last week: 12
The only blemish on the Cougars season was a 1-0 loss to Central Catholic. They close out the year on Wednesday looking for payback.
13. Granite Bay
Record: 15-10 |
Last week: 17
The Grizzlies finished the season with impressive wins over Rocklin, Folsom and Whitney.
13. Oakdale
Record: 13-4 |
Last week: 13
Season over.
14. Central Catholic (Modesto)
Record: 12-3 |
Last week: 14
The Raiders will finish its season on Wednesday against Escalon.
15. Ponderosa (Shingle Springs)
Record: 13-6 |
Last week: 15
The Bruins fell 4-2 Thursday to No. 10 Lincoln. Season comes to a close Thursday at Rio Linda.
16. Pitman (Turlock)
Record: 12-1 |
Last week: 16
After beating Enochs 8-1 on Tuesday, they fell to them 4-1 on Wednesday. The Pride closed their season out with an 18-2 win over Modesto.
18. Tracy
Record: 13-5 |
Last week: 18
Season over.
19. Golden Valley (Merced)
Record: 16-2 |
Last week: 21
Season over.
20. Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove)
Record: 11-11 |
Last week: 23
Sofia Martin had two hits in a season-ending 4-3 win over St. Francis.
21. Calaveras (San Andreas)
Record: 12-0 |
Last week: 19
Three more games remain as they try to improve to 15-0.
22. Linden
Record: 13-3 |
Last week: 19
Season over.
23. Enochs (Modesto)
Record: 9-1 |
Last week: 22
Eagles season comes to an end after closing with wins over Pitman and Gregori.
24. Cordova (Rancho Cordova)
Record: 13-3 |
Last week: 24
The Lancers wrap up 2021 on Monday at home against Florin.
25. Inderkum (Sacramento)
Record: 13-7 |
Last week: NR
Sophomore
Samantha Stoll struck out 13 in a 5-2 win over Yuba City on Wednesday.
