Pace (Fla.) has entered the top 5 in this week's MaxPreps Top 25 high school softball national rankings. This comes after winning the Panama City Tournament over the weekend.
Jayden Heavener, who has committed to LSU, had 20 strikeouts in the championship game. In the six games played this season, the junior has six no-hitters and has struck out 96 batters in 25 innings.
In addition to Pace, two undefeated teams have also moved up the rankings.
Wetumpka (Ala.) has a 21-0 record, thanks to the contributions of junior
Mya Holt's bat and arm. Holt has blasted 11 home runs this season. Meanwhile,
Lake Ridge (Mansfield, Texas) has improved to 18-0, with the help of Oklahoma State signee
Tia Warsop and other explosive players in the Eagles' lineup.
This week, the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions, one of the premier tournaments of the year, is set to take place in Bullhead City, Ariz. Some of the best teams from the West Coast, including
Norco (Calif.) at No. 4 and
Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.) at No. 6, will be participating.
Avery Hoang is 10-0 in the circle for Lake Ridge to start the season.
Photo by Paul Knight
Record: 0-0 | Last week: 1
The season begins on April 4.
2. Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas)
Record: 20-0 |
Last week: x2
LSU signee
Maddie Mckee leads the country with 81 stolen bases and 71 runs scored. The Lions finished the weekend 6-0, extending their winning streak to 51 games.
3. Clovis North (Fresno, Calif.)
Record: 6-0 |
Last week: 4
Freshman
Zoey Thomas has made an impressive start to her high school career with two home runs and 12 RBI. The Broncos went 4-0 in the preseason Buchanan Tournament over the weekend.
4. Norco (Calif.)Record: 6-0 |
Last week: 5
In a game against Los Altos on Thursday, pitcher
Mya Perez struck out 10 and allowed only three hits, securing a 1-0 win.
5. Pace (Fla.)Record: 8-0 |
Last week: 15
Pace has a .429 batting average, including 39 extra base hits and 15 home runs.
6. Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.)Record: 8-0 |
Last week: 6
Last week, the Lancers' games were postponed.
7. Murrieta Mesa (Murrieta, Calif.)
Record: 3-0 |
Last week: 8
During their 18-4 win over Chaparral on Monday, Ohio State commit
Jasmyn Burns hit three home runs and drove in seven runs. They will be playing at the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions later this week.
8. Benton (Ark.)
Record: 0-0 |
Last week: 7
The season begins in April.
9. Huntington Beach (Calif.)
Record: 2-0 |
Last week: 11
During their 13-0 win over Fountain Valley on Friday,
Sophia Knight,
Zoe Prystajko, and
Tea Gutierrez each had three hits. They will also be playing at the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions.
10. Ballard (Louisville, Ky.)
Record: 0-0 |
Last week: 10
The season begins on April 4.
11. Wetumpka (Ala.)Record: 21-0 |
Last week: NR
Sophomore
Lily Davenport hit a home run during the Indians' 3-2 win over Vestavia Hills.
12. Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record: 6-1 |
Last week: 3
The Mustangs suffered their first loss of the season against Windermere on Saturday. They play again Wednesday.
13. Rockridge (Taylor Ridge, Ill.)
Record: 0-0 |
Last week: 12
The season begins on March 20.
14. Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, Texas)
Record: 17-2 |
Last week: NR
Hailey Nutter struck out seven during the Eagles' 5-2 win over Pearland.
15. Bend (Ore.)
Record: 0-0 |
Last week: 14
The season begins in April.
16. Melbourne (Fla.)
Record: 3-1 |
Last week: 9
The Bulldogs have played 23 innings in their past two games.
Jasmine Francik has 52 strikeouts during those games with zero runs allowed.
17. Beaumont (Calif.)
Record: 4-1 |
Last week: 17
Limited games for the Cougars thus far due to weather conditions.
18. St. Amant (La.)
Record: 12-1 |
Last week: 18
Addison Jackson has now hit 16 home runs, which leads the country. She has hit multiple home runs in six games.
19. Lake Ridge (Mansfield, Texas)Record: 18-0 |
Last week: NR
The Eagles are averaging nearly 10 runs per game.
20. Donovan Catholic (Toms River, N.J.)
Record: 0-0 |
Last week: 20
The season begins in April.
21. Los Alamitos (Calif.)
Record: 2-1 |
Last week: 21
Unable to play due to weather conditions, the Griffins will be participating in the Dave Kops Tournament of Champions.
22. Tri-West Hendricks (Lizton, Ind.)
Record: 0-0 |
Last week: 22
The season begins in April.
23. Lexington (Tenn.)
Record: 0-0 |
Last week: 23
The season begins on March 13.
24. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)
Record: 7-0 |
Last week: NR
The Eagles have scored in double digits in all but one game.
Jillian Torres is batting .769 in 26 at-bats.
25. Triway (Wooster, Ohio)
Record: 0-0 |
Last week: 25
The season begins on March 27th.
