St. Amant (La.) became the first high school softball team in the MaxPreps Top 25 rankings to win a state championship in 2023.
Addison Jackson, who signed with Boston College, led the Gators a 4-0 win over Sam Houston and a second consecutive state title on Saturday.
On Thursday, second-ranked
Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, Texas) was in a bit of trouble as the Eagles lost the opener of their three-game series with Angelton. They bounced back, however, and won the next two games, securing their spot in 5A regional play. They are now on track to play top-ranked
Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas) in a few weeks.
Hoover (Ala.) enters the MaxPreps Top 25 this week as the Buccaneers are on a nine-game winning streak headed into the postseason play. The battle for the top-ranked team in Alabama will be an exciting one to watch.
Alix Franklin helped No. 9 St. Amant to its second straight Louisiana state title. The 32-2 Eagles beat Sam Houston 4-0 over the weekend to win the banner. (Photo: Josh Ankeny)
1. Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas)
Record: 36-0 |
Last week: 1
The Lions took care of business beating Shoemaker 12-0 and 11-1. Freshman
Maggie Hayward hit a home run and had four hits in the nightcap.
2. Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, Texas)
Record: 34-3 |
Last week: 2
Sophie Naivar drove in six runs in game three to help the Eagles advance over Angelton.
3. Roncalli (Indianapolis)
Record: 13-2-1|
Last week: 3
Since they lost on April 22, the Royals have outscored opponents 55-0 in four games.
4. Ballard (Louisville, Ky.)
Record: 20-0 |
Last week: 4
Brooke Gray threw a no-hitter, striking out 11 on Thursday as the Bruins blanked Assumption 8-0.
5. Lake Ridge (Mansfield, Texas)
Record: 34-0 |
Last week: 5
Kassidy Chance hit a home run and
Avery Hoang pitched a complete-game shutout during the opener of a two-game sweep of Bryan.
6. Los Alamitos (Calif.)
Record: 24-3 |
Last week: 6
The Griffins open up postseason play Thursday.
7. Hanover (Mechanicsville, Va.)
Record: 12-0 |
Last week: 7
Julia Cuozzo tossed a 15-strikeout, no-hitter during a 12-0 win Monday over Varina.
8. Coral Springs Charter (Coral Springs, Fla.)
Record: 21-0-2 |
Last week: 8
Stephanie Basso hit two home runs and drove in four Thursday as the Panthers beat Western 5-4.
9. St. Amant (La.)
Record: 32-2 |
Last week: 8
Mary Beth Zeller and
Aralee Beene each had clutch hits and RBI in the state title game.
10. Pace (Fla.)
Record: 23-1 |
Last week: 10
Mallory Baker had a pair of hits and
Jayden Heavener struck out 13 Monday as the Patriots beat Milton in playoff action.
11. Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.)
Record: 20-2 |
Last week: 11
Chloe Cummings hit two bombs during the Lancers' 10-0 win over St. Ignatius College Prep on Monday.
12. Clovis North (Fresno, Calif.)
Record: 20-0-1 |
Last week: 12
Elektra Reyes had a double and a RBI as the Broncos held off Clovis West 2-1 in extras on Friday.
13. Guyer (Denton, Texas)
Record: 31-0 |
Last week: 13
The Wildcats swept Marcus in their best-of-three series. Next up: Martin on Thursday.
14. Willow Canyon (Surprise, Ariz.)
Record: 27-0-1 |
Last week: 14
Marissa McCann and
Kayleigh Bowers combined for 16 strikeouts as the Wildcats move on to Round Two in the AIA 5A playoffs.
15. Norco (Calif.)
Record: 24-3 |
Last week: 20
The Cougars await their first-round opponent in a series beginning May 4.
16. Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.)
Record: 31-1 |
Last week: 16
Anyssa Wild,
Gianna Mares and
Allie Hayes all went yard as the Lancers beat Seton Catholic in first round 4A playoff action.
17. Donovan Catholic (Toms River, N.J.)
Record: 16-0 |
Last week: 17
The team is batting a combined .476 and has outscored its opponents 208 to 11.
18. Watkins Memorial (Pataskala, Ohio)
Record: 19-0 |
Last week: 18
Maleya Thompson and
Jordyn Wycuff each homered helping the Warriors beat 6-4 on Wednesday.
19. North Penn (Lansdale, Pa.)
Record: 14-0 |
Last week: 19
The Knights have allowed just three runs this season.
20. Queen Creek (Ariz.)
Record: 26-1-1 |
Last week: 21
Jade Berry was solid at the plate and
Jenae Berry was stellar in the circle as the Bulldogs rolled Xavier College Prep 15-0 in 6A playoff action.
21. Austintown-Fitch (Youngstown, Ohio)
Record: 13-0 |
Last week: 22
Tina Montgomery hit a bomb and drove in four propelling the Falcons to a 6-3 win over Champion on Wednesday.
22. Melbourne (Fla.)
Record: 20-3 |
Last week: 23
Jasmine Francik struck out all but one batter as the Bulldogs opened up postseason play with a 16-0 win over Heritage on Monday.
23. Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
Record: 20-5 |
Last week: 25
The Lancers finished the season on a 12-game winning streak as they head into Southern Section Division 1 play.
24. Hoover (Ala.)
Record: 29-6-1 |
Last week: NR
The Bucs will open up postseason play on Tuesday.
25. Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.)
Record: 21-1 |
Last week: 15
The Cavaliers fell for the first time on Tuesday. They now enter Class AAAA starting May 3.
