MaxPreps Preseason Xcellent 25 Softball Rankings

The top of the 2012 version of the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Preseason Softball Rankings will look awfully familiar to those who followed the national softball scene in 2011. That's because the top three teams to finish the 2011 season begin the spring of 2012 in the exact same spot in the first rankings of the season.

Led by pitcher Paige Mcduffee, The Woodlands begins the season ranked No. 1. The Highlanders were ranked No. 1 for the last three months of the season and had just one loss in winning the Texas 5A state championship.

Gulliver Prep, meanwhile, emerged as the top team in Florida last season after winning the 3A state title. Nothing has changed this year as it will have several All-American candidates, including pitcher Christina Gabriele.

Then there's Alexander Central, which has won two of the last three 4A state championships in North Carolina. Having state player of the year Chelsea Wilkinson back in the circle helps make Alexander Central the favorite again, although expect heavy competition from No. 6 North Davidson.

Here's a look at the rest of the Xcellent 25 Preseason Softball Rankings.

MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Preseason Softball Rankings

1. The Woodlands (Texas), 44-1 last year
Is it possible the Highlanders could be better than last year? With MaxPreps National Player of the Year Paige McDuffee back in the circle, it's a distinct possibility. The Woodlands was No. 1 for all but one week of the season last year in winning the Texas 5A state championship. But McDuffee (37-1, 244 Ks) is not the only weapon for coach Richard Jorgensen. He also has shortstop Faith Bohack (.425, 7 HR, 57 RBIs), second baseman Alyssa Jorgensen (.486), first baseman Jessica Snyder (.444, 13 HR, 61 RBIs) and catcher Kayla Prater (.328).

2. Gulliver Prep (Miami), 30-2
The Florida 3A state champions return most of last year's talented lineup, including MaxPreps All-American Christina Gabriele (21-2, 151 Ks, 0.93 ERA), IF Taryn Bray (.420), IF Ashley Leon (.475), OF Dominique Grossman (.455, 7 HR) and DH Stephanie Texiera (.407, 5 HR).

3. Alexander Central (Taylorsville, N.C.), 31-2
As long as two-time Gatorade State Player of the Year Chelsea Wilkinson is in the circle for the Cougars, Alexander Central has a fighting chance. Wilkinson went 28-1 last year with 316 strikeouts while leading the Cougars to their second state title in three years. Other all-state players returning include Kaylea Payne (CF), Lauren Elder (C) and Taylor Wike (SS).

4. Plano (Texas), 39-5
Katherine Batey returns for Plano after posting a 29-3 record last season. She's one of 15 lettermen that return from last year's squad. Also back are Kristen Miles (.545), Jill Holub (.427), Ashley McDowell (.404), Erin Lowell (.351) and MacKenzie Velasquez (.351).

5. Lee-Davis (Mechanicsville, Va.), 26-1
The Confederates return the state's top pitcher in Kelly Heinz (22-1, batted .455), who won the Gatorade State Player of the Year honor last year while leading her team to the Virginia AAA state championship. She's joined by All-Metro outfielder Casey Price and returning starters Heleigh Cottrell (C), Charyssa Parent (OF), Lacie Madison (3B) and Taylor Deemer (2B).

6. North Davidson (Lexington, N.C.), 31-3
The Black Knights lose just three players from a team that won 31 games and finished second in the state to Alexander Central. Six all-state players return, including Ally Nicholson (OF), Haley Pace (SS), Jessica Plemons (OF), Lauren Grooms (C), MacKenzie Hauser (P) and Paige Wall (2B).

7. Tomball (Texas), 34-6
Tomball loses All-American infielder Renada Davis but returns three players who earned all-district first team honors in Sloan Walker (OF), Katie Doerre (IF) and Lexie Comeaux (UTIL). Second-team picks Kandace Patek (P), Sarah Huey (IF), Kelsey Vincent (IF), and Allie Piro (OF) also return for a team that managed to stick The Woodlands its only loss last season.

8. Dothan (Ala.), 59-7-1
Dothan earned its first state championship in any sport in 33 years last season with its 6A softball state title. All-Super State pitcher Kasey Cooper returns for her junior season while honorable mention all-state pick Denise Anderson (C, Jr) and sophomore Toni Anderson (1B) also return.

9. Newton County (Decatur, Miss.), 34-2
The Cougars won the 4A state championship in Mississippi last season without a senior on the roster. In fact, the team had only four juniors to go with 19 players who ranged from seventh to ninth grade. All-state selections Emily Davis (.504, 45 RBIs, 8 HR) and Shelby Bishop (.531, 42 RBIs, 7 HR) return along with Darby Bishop (.527, 40 RBIs, 14 DBL, 8 TRI).

10. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), 28-3
The Central Coast Section Division II champs in California, the Monarchs return their top two players from last year's squad in pitcher Vanessa Alvarez (162 K, 0.80 ERA) and sophomore outfielder Jazmyn Jackson (.485, 32 RBIs, 5 HR). Vinchenza Dibenedetto (.358, 2 HR) also returns.

11. Walla Walla (Wash.), 27-1
The 4A state champions in Washington return nearly intact, including Gatorade State Player of the Year Alyson Ambler in the circle. All-league picks Andrea Hamada (SS, defensive player of the year), Traeann Payne (OF), Libbie Jimenez (2B), and Mariah Gerling (OF) also return. Ambler batted .506 with 34 RBIs and nine home runs last season while Hamada batted .404 with 14 doubles and five homers. Jimenez was also among the team leaders with a .510 average, 30 RBIs and six home runs.

12. Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), 47-5
With state MVP Rachel Albritton (43-5, 488 Ks) back in the circle, the Warriors will be tough to beat. Coach Jeff Breeden loses just four players off a team that won 47 games. Among the top hitters returning include Brenna Wolfram (.381, 4 HR, 31 RBIs), Katie Brown (.474, 45 RBIs, 16 DBL), and Courtney Clark (.455).

13. Red Mountain (Mesa, Ariz.), 31-8
The Mountain Lions finished the season ranked No. 5 in Arizona by MaxPreps and they return one of the state's top young pitchers in Breana Macha (21-4, .364 batting average). Siera Phillips (.500, 45 RBI)s, Red Mountain's second pitcher and top returning hitter, returns along with shortstop Haley Culley (.471, 25 RBIs).

14. Keystone (La Grange, Ohio), 30-2
An upset loss in the Ohio Division II state playoffs prematurely ended the season for the Wildcats, but every player on the team returns, except for one, to make another attempt at a state crown this year. The impressive lineup features pitcher Kenzie Conrad (.086 ERA, .462, 9 HR), shortstop Erin Pond (.563, 9 HR, 36 RBIs), second baseman Alisha Silva (.571, 31 RBIs) and catcher Bri Buckley (.477, 36 RBIs).

15. Wakeland (Frisco, Texas), 21-7
Ranked No. 1 to start the season in Class 4A by the Texas Girls Coaches Association, Wakeland returns district MVP Hannah Newcomb along with first baseman Darian Dunn, shortstop Brittany Gehle and outfielder Monika Reichhardt.

16. Santa Fe (Texas), 37-6
The defending Texas Class 4A state champions return the bulk of last year's squad, including MVP pitcher Micaela Bouvier, and all-district players Rachel Tassin (2B), L. Campbell (OF), Ciara Sunseri (pitcher) and Aubri Hockenbury.

17. Soddy Daisy (Tenn.), 41-9
The Trojans are perennial contenders for the AAA state championship in Tennessee and this year should be no different as all-state pitcher Kelsey Nunley returns to lead the way for Soddy Daisy.

18. Beech (Hendersonville, Tenn.), 42-11-2
Beech struggled early in the season but came on strong in the postseason by beating both Riverdale and Soddy Daisy for the Tennessee AAA state title. All-Mid-State outfielder Heather Montgomery (.456, 26 runs), along with second-team pick Kassidy McCoy (C) and third-team choice Alex Banks (P).

19. Robbinsville (N.J.), 25-0
Lauren Fischer earned all-state honors after leading Robbinsville to a state championship and a No. 1 ranking in New Jersey. Fischer was 23-0 with 213 strikeouts while batting .458. She was joined on the all-conference team by second baseman Christine Levering, third baseman Lauren Hunter and catcher Rebecca Freeman.

20. Los Alamitos (Calif.), 27-4
The Griffins were runners-up in the Southern Section Division I playoffs last year but most of the top players return from that squad, including sophomore pitcher Andie Formby, who went 25-4 last season. Other returning all-league picks include Erika Crissman (.398), Megan Geer (.366, 6 HR), and Alexandria Finie (.344, 5 HR).

21. Bonita Vista (Chula Vista, Calif.), 34-2
The Barons had the top team in San Diego last season but were upset in the playoffs by West Hills. Twelve players return, including league Pitcher of the Year Jennifer Hartman (25-2, 1.58 ERA), third baseman Anissa Pinedo (.419, 38 RBI), catcher Chelsy Ramirez (.311), and centerfielder Hanna Flippen (.432).

22. Estrella Foothills (Goodyear, Ariz.), 35-3
Only three players graduated from last year's team that finished ranked No. 3 in the state by MaxPreps. Kasia Smith returns in the circle after going 31-3 with 245 strikeouts last year. She also led the team with a .549 batting average, 43 RBIs and 18 doubles. Also back is catcher Tatum Reedy (.524, 35 RBI, 17 DBL), shortstop Ashley Godfrey (.521, 15 DBL, 9 TRI, 6 HR) and first baseman Lenora Brafford (.389, 21 RBIs).

23. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.), 23-1
The Patriots were shooting for a Class 3A state championship last season before being derailed by Gulliver Prep in the playoffs. American Heritage loses only three players from last year's team, although one was All-American Bailey Castro. Pitcher Aimee Chapdelaine returns along with Gianna Arrizurieta (.507, IF), Shea Melton (.489, OF) and Christina Horton (.475, OF).

24. Poland Seminary (Ohio), 25-2
With pitcher Erin Gabriel (0.79 ERA, .569 batting average, 39 RBIs) returning along with all-state first baseman Jenna Modic, Poland Seminary could be a good bet to defend its Division II state crown in Ohio. Only two players graduated off last year's team that defeated Keystone for the championship.

25. Carson (Calif.), 27-3
Only two players graduate from a team that won the Los Angeles City Section championship. The Colts can produce plenty of offense with All-American Darian Tautalafua (.554, 47 RBIs, 15 HR) returning along with catcher Brittany Moeai (.580, 65 RBIs, 12 HR).