Nebraska's Top 10 most improved softball programs

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With the high school softball season heading into District play in a couple of weeks, we have decided to crunch the numbers in an attempt to discover which Nebraska softball programs have improved the most over a year ago. And we think we've nailed it down.

After climbing 36 spots over last season in the MaxPreps Softball Computer rankings, and improving its won-loss record by four games through last weekend's action, Fairbury softball earns the title "Most Improved" in the Cornhusker State. The Jeffs grab the final rung in our Top 25 Tuesday, and with a deep postseason run should improve their stock higher yet.

Following a 6-24 campaign a year ago, West Point-Beemer moves into the No. 2 spot with a 32 place improvement after moving its 2017 record to 12-9 last week. West Point-Beemer is an incredible 10-½ games better in its won-loss record than it was in 2016.

In the case of a tie, the program that made the greatest improvement in its won-loss record earned the higher spot. For example, David City/East Butler and Arlington both improved 29 spots over last season, tied for third. David City/East Butler, however, improved its won-loss record by 4-½ games, while the Eagles were better by 3-½ games. David City/East Butler, therefore, earned the No. 3 spot and the Eagles sit fourth.

Rounding out the Top 5 is Bellevue East, Class A's only member to make this week's Top 10. The Chieftains climbed 28 spots to 37th in Tuesday's latest computer rankings. Nebraska has three classifications (A, B and C) and 113 programs competing in softball in 2017, and all three classes are represented in this week's Top 10.

Nebraska's Top 10 most improved softball programs

1. Fairbury +36
Final 2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 61st (15-13)
2017-18 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 25th (14-4)

2. West Point-Beemer (West Point) +32
Final 2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 104th (6-24)
2017-18 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 72nd (12-9)

3. David City/East Butler (David City) +29
Final 2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 94th (13-20)
2017-18 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 65th (10-8)

4. Arlington +29
Final 2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 59th (17-15)
2017-18 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 30th (13-4)

5. Bellevue East +28
Final 2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 65th (12-17)
2017-18 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 37th (10-10)

6. Yutan-Mead (Yutan) +27
Final 2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 82nd (9-18)
2017-18 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 55th (11-7)

7. Bishop Neumann (Wahoo) +27
Final 2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 54th (21-10)
2017-18 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 27th (15-4)

8. Fort Calhoun +26
Final 2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 50th (15-11)
2017-18 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 24th (8-2)

9. Centennial (Utica) +25
Final 2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 81st (14-21)
2017-18 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 56th (12-9)

10. Douglas County West/Concordia (Valley) +25
Final 2016-17 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 63rd (14-16)
2017-18 MaxPreps Rating (Record): 38th (12-11)