It's win-or-go-home time for the majority of the nation's top high school softball squads. Twenty teams in the MaxPreps Top 25 teams are in the thick of postseason play.
In Arizona, state champions will be crowned this upcoming weekend. No. 13
Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.) awaits its semifinal opponent in 4A play. The Lancers play Thursday and coach Tricia Sztan is looking for a fourth-straight state title dating back to 2018 (no state championship was held in 2020 because of the pandemic).
Joining the Top 25 this week is
Xavier College Prep (Phoenix). Harvard commit
Riley Flynn tossed a no-hitter and struck out eight to lead the Gators to a Wednesday 6A semifinal where they're hoping to make it two straight titles.
Teams that do not enter results and statistical information to MaxPreps make forming the rankings and highlighting players much more difficult.
MaxPreps Top 25 newcomer Xavier College Prep seeks its second straight Arizona state title as the postseason wraps up this week.
Photo by Mark Jones
1. Roncalli (Indianapolis)
Record: 16-0 |
Last week: 1
Keagan Rothrock struck out 16 of the 19 batters she faced as the Royals beat Lawrence North 10-0 on Monday.
2. Lake Creek (Montgomery, Texas)
Record: 33-0 |
Last week: 2
Piper White and
Maddie Mckee each had three hits, and
Ava Brown surpassed 500 career strikeouts as the Lady Lions advanced to Regional Quarterfinal play after an 11-0 win over Weiss.
3. Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.)
Record: 29-0 |
Last week: 3
Lady Lions advanced to the second round of Southern Section Division 1 play after an 11-0 win over Valley View.
4. St. Amant (La.)
Record: 31-2 |
Last week: 4
Season complete: Class 5A state champions
5. Deer Park (Texas)
Record: 33-2 |
Last week: 5
The Lady Deer bounced back and won two-straight to take the series over Alvin to advance 6A Region 1 & 3 play.
6. Patterson Mill (Bel Air, Md.)
Record: 17-0 |
Last week: 6
The Huskies finished the regular season with five runs allowed. Postseason play begins on Thursday.
7. O'Connor (Helotes, Texas)
Record: 26-1 |
Last week: 7
Leighann Goode hit two bombs and
Sammie Portillo added another during an 11-8 shootout over Los Fresnos in 6A Regional play on Saturday.
8. Benton (Ark.)
Record: 28-0 |
Last week: 8
Shelby Samples had three hits during the Panthers 4-3 win over Bryant to wrap up a perfect regular season on Monday.
9. Donovan Catholic (Toms River, N.J.)
Record: 19-0 |
Last week: 9
Legendary Coach Debbie Schwartz picked up her 700th win on Monday after a 15-0 victory over Lakewood.
10. Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton, Fla.)
Record: 25-2 |
Last week: 10
Ella Dodge struck out 10 and allowed two hits as the Mustangs beat Venice 1-0 on Thursday. Next up is 7A Regional Quarterfinal play against Lake Mary on Thursday.
11. Beaver (Pa.)
Record: 14-0 |
Last week: 12
The Bobcats finished as the Class 4A Section 3 champions and enter postseason play.
12. North Augusta (S.C.)
Record: 26-1 |
Last week: 13
The Yellowjackets opened up their state-title run with 11-0 and 7-0 wins.
13. Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Ariz.)
Record: 27-2 |
Last week: 14
The Lancers have won five state titles in the program's history.
14. Lexington (Tenn.)
Record: 39-1 |
Last week: 15
Kylie Waldrep hit a home run during the Tigers' 9-2 win over Camden Central on Thursday. Playoffs begin May 16.
15. Anthony Wayne (Whitehouse, Ohio)
Record: 21-0 |
Last week: 16
The Generals open D-I tournament play with a 5 p.m. sectional final at home Wednesday against Notre Dame.
16. Villa Park (Calif.)
Record: 23-4 |
Last week: 17
Spartans look for revenge from an early season 3-2 loss to Orange Lutheran as the two square off second-round playoff action.
17. Bend (Ore.)
Record: 20-1 |
Last week: 19
The Lava Bears have won the past three games by a combined score of 51-0.
18. Bullard (Texas)
Record: 34-1 |
Last Week: 20
After a 14-0 win over Brownsboro, the Panthers play Canton in a 4A Regional quarterfinals.
19. Triway (Wooster, Ohio)
Record: 23-1 |
Last week: 21
Titans finished the regular season with 14 total shutouts.
20. Fairhope (Ala.)
Record: 35-2-1 |
Last week: 22
Hailey Minchew,
Yasmin Harmon and
Alea Johnson all homered as the Lady Pirates advanced to play Enterprise in 7A Central play on Thursday.
21. Riverton (Utah)
Record: 21-1 |
Last week: 24
The Silverwolves finished on an eight-game win streak and will begin postseason play next week.
22. Roosevelt (Eastvale, Calif.)
Record: 23-3 |
Last week: NR
The Mustangs advanced to the second round of CIF Southern Section Division 1 play after a 17-0 win over Upland.
23. Rockridge (Taylor Ridge, Ill.)
Record: 22-0 |
Last week: NR
Junior
Payton Brown has 15 home runs this season and is batting .537. Sophomore
Kendra Lewis is 13-0 in the circle with a 0.89 ERA.
24. Georgetown (Texas)
Record: 29-3 |
Last week: NR
The Eagles play Canyon in 5A Regional quarterfinal play starting on Saturday.
25. Xavier College Prep (Phoenix)
Record: 22-5 |
Last week: NR
Sophomore
Lauren Putz had a pair of hits and a RBI during the Gators 3-0 win over Desert Vista on Saturday.
The next five
26.
Queen Creek (Ariz.)27.
Clovis North (Fresno, Calif.)28.
John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.)29.
Watkins Memorial (Pataskala, Ohio)30.
Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, Ala.)
