Softball Super 25 – Page 3 – Syndication Server

Opening USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings

Lake Creek opens No. 1 in USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Lake Creek opens the 2023 USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 in the same spot it finished last season — the No. 1 spot.

The defending Texas state 5A champion Lions are off to a perfect 21-0 start to top the rankings for a 16th consecutive week, dating back to week three of last year (March 24). Lake Creek has won its last five contests by a 45-2 margin and has a district game up next on Friday at Magnolia West.

Perennial state and national powers Roncalli (Ind.) and Benton (Ark.) start second and third, respectively, while nine-time defending Mississippi state 5A titlist Neshoba Central (4-0) — the last school before Lake Creek to be ranked No. 1 — is fourth. Fellow unbeaten North Augusta (2-0), which won its first South Carolina state 4A championship last season, rounds out the top five.

Four other teams with perfect records — Moorpark (seventh, 8-0), Willow Canyon (eighth, 8-0), Bentonville (ninth, 2-0) and Salpointe Catholic (13th, 10-0) — are all ranked in the top 15, while four others — Santa Margarita (sixth, 7-1), St. Amant (10th, 13-1), Basha (12th, 7-1) and Queen Creek (20th, 6-1-1) — have one defeat apiece. Two-loss Esperanza (7-2) holds the No. 14 position, while 2023 NFCA Texas High School Leadoff Classic champion Brazoswood (13-3) and Florida’s Lakewood Ranch (6-3) are 21st and 22nd, respectively.

Eleven teams in the first poll have not yet started their season.

State rankings submitted by the 2023 NFCA High School Steering Committee are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality, strength of schedule, and active NFCA membership.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – March 9, 2023

1. Lake Creek (Texas)

Record: 21-0

2. Roncalli (Ind.)

Record: 0-0

3. Benton (Ark.)

Record: 0-0

4. Neshoba Central (Miss.)

Record: 4-0

5. North Augusta (S.C.)

Record: 2-0

6. Santa Margarita (Calif.)

Record: 7-1

7. Moorpark (Calif.)

Record: 8-0

8. Willow Canyon (Ariz.)

Record: 8-0

9. Bentonville (Ark.)

Record: 2-0

10. St. Amant (La.)

Record: 13-1

11. Watkins Memorial (Ohio)

Record: 0-0

12. Basha (Ariz.)

Record: 7-1

13. Salpointe Catholic (Ariz.)

Record: 13-1

14. Esperanza (Calif.)

Record: 7-2

15. Anthony Wayne (Ohio)

Record: 0-0

16. Bend (Ore.)

Record: 0-0

17. Redmond (Wash.)

Record: 0-0

18. Bingham (Utah)

Record: 0-0

19. Spanish Fork (Utah)

Record: 0-0

20. Queen Creek (Ariz.)

Record: 6-1-1

21. Brazoswood (Texas)

Record: 13-3

22. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.)

Record: 6-3

23. Immaculate Heart Academy (N.J.)

Record: 0-0

24. Donovan Catholic (N.J.)

Record: 0-0

25. Marist (Ill.)

Record: 0-0

About the NFCA:

The NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded coaches polls and All-America awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to awards, to in-person events and National Convention.

NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll: Week 6

Skutt Catholic stays perfect atop NFCA Fall High School Top 25

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Six more wins kept Skutt Catholic rolling perfectly atop the NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll, but there was plenty of movement beneath them in the rankings this week.

The (22-0) Skyhawks maintained their strong hold on the No. 1 spot, with wins over Mercy/Brownell-Talbott (last Thursday) and North Star, Fremont and Grand Island (all three Saturday), plus lopsided shutouts over Elkhorn South and Duchesne/Roncalli earlier this week. Skutt returns to action later today at home against Waverly.

Meanwhile, Lutheran (19-0) and East Coweta (18-1) combined to win eight games and move up two places each, taking advantage of losses by Dewey (29-2) and Fossil Ridge (17-2). One of the two teams that beat Fossil Ridge this past week — Horizon (19-1) — enters the poll at No. 7, between fellow newcomers Eureka (sixth) and Pueblo South (eighth) in the top 10.

Eureka (18-1) has kept rolling after beating fifth-ranked Rockwood Summit in a walkoff two weeks ago, while Pueblo South (17-1) has now won 15 straight and outscored opponents 179-25 this year.

On the flip side, losses cost Verdigris (29-2), Hastings (26-4) and Omaha Marian (21-5) seven spots apiece in the poll this week.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches are used to compile the NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule. Five states — Colorado, Georgia, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Missouri — play a fall fastpitch schedule, while Iowa plays a summer schedule.

NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll – Sept. 30, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Rank

1. Skutt Catholic (Neb.): 22-0 – PR: 1

2. Lutheran (Colo.): 19-0 – PR: 4

3. East Coweta (Ga.): 18-1 – PR: 5

4. Dewey (Okla.): 29-2 – PR: 2

5. Rockwood Summit (Mo.): 20-2 – PR: 6

6. Eureka (Mo.): 18-1 – PR: NR

7. Horizon (Colo.): 19-1 – PR: NR

8. Pueblo South (Colo.): 17-1 – PR: NR

9. Fossil Ridge (Colo.): 17-2 – PR: 3

10. Washington (Okla.): 32-4 – PR: 11

11. Piedmont (Okla.): 28-4 – PR: 12

12. Gretna (Neb.): 23-3 – PR: 17

13. Holy Family (Colo.): 16-3 – PR: 13

14. Verdigris (Okla.): 29-2 – PR: 7

15. Hastings (Neb.): 26-4 – PR: 8

16. Omaha Marian (Neb.): 21-5 – PR: 9

17. Pocola (Okla.): 32-4 – PR: 14

18. Blue Springs South (Mo.): 22-4 – PR: 16

19. Rock Bridge (Mo.): 22-5 – PR: 15

20. Assumption (Iowa): 40-3 – PR: 18

21. North Gwinnett (Ga.): 16-4-1 – PR: 19

22. Minco (Okla.): 30-4 – PR: 21

23. North Linn (Iowa): 42-6 – PR: 22

24. Fort Dodge (Iowa): 38-4 – PR: 23

25. Newell-Fonda (Iowa): 38-4 – PR: 24

Dropped out:

Coweta (Okla.)

Southmoore (Okla.)

Western Dubuque (Iowa)

Learn more about the NFCA.

NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll: Week 5

Skutt Catholic keeps rolling atop NFCA Fall High School Top 25

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Unbeaten Skutt Catholic continued to roll along, going 5-0 over the past week, to continue as the undisputed No. 1 in the NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll.

The (16-0) Skyhawks defeated Pius X twice and also scored victories over Platteview, Hastings and South Sioux City. They play at Mercy/Brownell-Talbott later today.

Dewey (27-1) also recorded a 5-0 week to keep pace in the second spot, beating Kiefer in its two most recent contests, a pair of high-scoring affairs on Monday and Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Fossil Ridge, Lutheran and East Coweta each moved up one spot to round out the first five teams. Fossil Ridge and Lutheran are both 15-0 in Colorado, while Georgia power East Coweta (14-1) rolled past Pike County on Wednesday for its seventh straight shutout, which extended its scoreless innings streak to 41.

Elsewhere, Missouri’s trio of Rockwood Summit (sixth, 18-1), Rock Bridge (15th, 18-4) and Blue Springs South (16th, 18-4) all slipped slightly in the rankings following losses. Rockwood Summit’s loss was a 7-6 walkoff at the hands of Eureka (15-1) last Thursday, and the Falcons responded by routing Lindbergh, 17-0, on Monday and ripping Northwest (Cedar Hill), 11-0, on Tuesday.

NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll – Sept. 23, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Rank

1. Skutt Catholic (Neb.): 16-0 – PR: 1

2. Dewey (Okla.): 27-1 – PR: 2

3. Fossil Ridge (Colo.): 15-0 – PR: 4

4. Lutheran (Colo.): 15-0 – PR: 5

5. East Coweta (Ga.): 14-1 – PR: 6

6. Rockwood Summit (Mo.): 16-1 – PR: 3

7. Verdigris (Okla.): 27-1 – PR: 12

8. Hastings (Neb.): 20-2 – PR: 8

9. Omaha Marian (Neb.): 17-3 – PR: 9

10. Coweta (Okla.): 21-3 – PR: 7

11. Washington (Okla.): 28-3 – PR: 11

12. Piedmont (Okla.): 26-3 – PR: 10

13. Holy Family (Colo.): 14-3 – PR: 16

14. Pocola (Okla.): 30-4 – PR: 22

15. Rock Bridge (Mo.): 18-4 – PR: 13

16. Blue Springs South (Mo.): 18-4 – PR: 14

17. Gretna (Neb.): 20-3 – PR: 15

18. Assumption (Iowa): 40-3 – PR: 17

19. North Gwinnett (Ga.): 12-3-1 – PR: 18

20. Southmoore (Okla.): 21-4 – PR: 19

21. Minco (Okla.): 29-4 – PR: 20

22. North Linn (Iowa): 42-6 – PR: 21

23. Fort Dodge (Iowa): 38-4 – PR: 23

24. Newell-Fonda (Iowa): 38-4 – PR: 24

25. Western Dubuque (Iowa): 35-7 – PR: 25

Dropped out: None

Learn more about the NFCA.

NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll: Week 4

Skutt Catholic, Dewey continue to lead NFCA Fall High School Top 25

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Skutt Catholic rolled past Norris in its only game this past week to continue its hold on the top spot in the NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll.

The (11-0) Skyhawks, who have been No. 1 all four weeks of the 2021 poll, will look to continue their winning ways today at home against Pius X and again on Saturday versus Platteview. Dewey (22-1) has been similarly steady at No. 2, with its only blemish a 2-1 loss to Cleveland on Sept. 2.

Meanwhile, there was some movement below the first two in the top 10. Rockwood Summit (16-0) hopped over Colorado’s Fossil Ridge (13-0) and Lutheran (14-0) into the No. 3 spot following a 7-0 week. Coweta (19-1) also advanced two places, to seventh, ahead of Nebraska’s Hastings (16-1) and Omaha Marian (12-2) after a 5-0 week. In the middle of that mix, perennial power East Coweta (13-1) remained sixth, after a pair of shutout wins last Friday — 10-0 over Trinity Christian and 8-0 versus Troup — and Wednesday’s 9-0 victory over Whitewater.

Piedmont (23-1) surged into the top 10 off a 5-0 week, and is in the midst of a 20-game win streak, while fellow Oklahoma school Verdigris (22-1) is the newest addition to the poll in the No. 12 spot. The Cardinals have won 15 straight since a 3-1 loss to Haskell on Aug. 26.

Georgia’s Harrison (10-6) fell out of the rankings after a 2-4 week.

NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll – Sept. 16, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Rank

1. Skutt Catholic (Neb.): 11-0 – PR: 1

2. Dewey (Okla.): 22-1 – PR: 2

3. Rockwood Summit (Mo.): 16-0 – PR: 5

4. Fossil Ridge (Colo.): 13-0 – PR: 3

5. Lutheran (Colo.): 13-0 – PR: 4

6. East Coweta (Ga.): 13-1 – PR: 6

7. Coweta (Okla.): 19-1 – PR: 9

8. Hastings (Neb.): 16-1 – PR: 7

9. Omaha Marian (Neb.): 12-2 – PR: 8

10. Piedmont (Okla.): 23-1 – PR: 11

11. Washington (Okla.): 25-5 – PR: 10

12. Verdigris (Okla.): 22-1 – PR: NR

13. Rock Bridge (Mo.): 12-3 – PR: 12

14. Blue Springs South (Mo.): 13-2 – PR: 13

15. Gretna (Neb.): 17-2 – PR: 16

16. Holy Family (Colo.): 12-3 – PR: 14

17. Assumption (Iowa): 40-3 – PR: 15

18. North Gwinnett (Ga.): 12-3-1 – PR: 18

19. Southmoore (Okla.): 16-3 – PR: 19

20. Minco (Okla.): 27-4 – PR: 17

21. North Linn (Iowa): 42-6 – PR: 20

22. Pocola (Okla.): 23-4 – PR: 21

23. Fort Dodge (Iowa): 38-4 – PR: 22

24. Newell-Fonda (Iowa): 38-4 – PR: 23

25. Western Dubuque (Iowa): 35-7 – PR: 25

Dropped out:

Harrison (Ga.)

Learn more about the NFCA.

NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll: Week 3

Skutt Catholic continues atop NFCA Fall High School Top 25

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Three more wins strengthened Skutt Catholic’s hold on the top spot in the NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll. The (10-0) Skyhawks are one of four unbeaten teams remaining — all ranked in the top five.

Oklahoma’s Dewey (19-1) went 7-1 over the last week to maintain the No. 2 position, while Colorado’s Fossil Ridge (11-0) and Lutheran (12-0) are third and fourth, respectively, with Missouri’s Rockwood Summit (9-0) gaining one spot this week to round out the first five.

Perennial Georgia powerhouse East Coweta (10-1) collected two more victories to move up to sixth, while Nebraska’s Hastings (12-1) fell from third to seventh after blowing a seven-run lead in a 11-10 loss on Saturday to five-loss Elkhorn.

Meanwhile, Dewey isn’t the only Oklahoma team that has been rolling recently, as Coweta (14-1), Washington (17-1) and Piedmont (17-1) have combined to win their last 38 games to continue in the nine through 11 spots.

Elsewhere, Missouri’s Blue Springs South (10-2) — a familiar name annually in the poll — makes its 2021 debut at No. 13 after a week in which it routed Lee’s Summit West and split a pair of games with 12th-ranked Rock Bridge (10-2). The other new team in the poll this week is No. 17 Minco (22-3), which has won nine straight and allowed just five runs over that stretch, while scoring 93.

Georgia’s North Gwinnett (10-3-1) was the poll’s biggest mover, gaining seven spots to No. 18, following a 5-1 week. Rough patches knocked both Colorado’s Cherokee Trail (1-2 week) and Missouri’s Troy-Buchanan (five losses and a tie) out of the rankings.

NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll – Sept. 9, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Rank

1. Skutt Catholic (Neb.): 10-0 – PR: 1

2. Dewey (Okla.): 19-1 – PR: 2

3. Fossil Ridge (Colo.): 11-0 – PR: 4

4. Lutheran (Colo.): 12-0 – PR: 5

5. Rockwood Summit (Mo.): 9-0 – PR: 6

6. East Coweta (Ga.): 10-1 – PR: 7

7. Hastings (Neb.): 12-1 – PR: 3

8. Omaha Marian (Neb.): 9-1 – PR: 8

9. Coweta (Okla.): 14-1 – PR: 9

10. Washington (Okla.): 17-1 – PR: 10

11. Piedmont (Okla.): 17-1 – PR: 11

12. Rock Bridge (Mo.): 10-2 – PR: 12

13. Blue Springs South (Mo.): 10-2 – PR: NR

14. Holy Family (Colo.): 6-2 – PR: 13

15. Assumption (Iowa): 40-3 – PR: 14

16. Gretna (Neb.): 12-2 – PR: 15

17. Minco (Okla.): 22-3 – PR: NR

18. North Gwinnett (Ga.): 10-3-1 – PR: 25

19. Southmoore (Okla.): 10-3 – PR: 17

20. North Linn (Iowa): 42-6 – PR: 18

21. Pocola (Okla.): 18-3 – PR: 19

22. Fort Dodge (Iowa): 38-4 – PR: 20

23. Newell-Fonda (Iowa): 38-4 – PR: 21

24. Harrison (Ga.): 8-3 – PR: 22

25. Western Dubuque (Iowa): 35-7 – PR: 23

Dropped out:

Cherokee Trail (Colo.)

Troy-Buchanan (Mo.)

Learn more about the NFCA.

NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll: Week 2

The top high school softball teams in the country for the fall season

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Four new teams joined the NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll this week, including three in the first six spots in the rankings.

Meanwhile, Nebraska’s Skutt Catholic remained perfect, adding five more victories to its ledger to stay firmly in the No. 1 position for a second straight week. The (7-0) Skyhawks scored three wins on Saturday alone, by a combined score of 28-1.

Oklahoma’s Dewey (12-0), Colorado’s Lutheran (10-0) and Missouri’s Rockwood Summit (7-0) are newcomers in the No. 2, No. 5 and No. 6 spots, respectively, while unbeaten Troy-Buchanan (5-0) is the other fresh face this week — and the second from the Show-Me State — at No. 16.

In all, there are seven undefeated teams in the poll this week, and seven more with just one loss.

NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll – Sept. 2, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record

1. Skutt Catholic (Neb.): 7-0 – PR: 1

2. Dewey (Okla.): 12-0 – PR: NR

3. Hastings (Neb.): 9-0 – PR: 4

4. Fossil Ridge (Colo.): 10-0 – PR: 5

5. Lutheran (Colo.): 10-0 – PR: NR

6. Rockwood Summit (Mo.): 7-0 – PR: NR

7. East Coweta (Ga.): 8-1 – PR: 2

8. Omaha Marian (Neb.): 5-1 – PR: 3

9. Coweta (Okla.): 11-1 – PR: 7

10. Washington (Okla.): 15-1 – PR: 10

11. Piedmont (Okla.): 15-1 – PR: 11

12. Rock Bridge (Mo.): 4-1 – PR: 9

13. Holy Family (Colo.): 4-2 – PR: 8

14. Assumption (Iowa): 40-3 – PR: 12

15. Gretna (Neb.): 9-1 – PR: 20

16. Troy-Buchanan (Mo.): 5-0 – PR: NR

17. Southmoore (Okla.): 8-3 – PR: 6

18. North Linn (Iowa): 42-6 – PR: 14

19. Pocola (Okla.): 18-2 – PR: 15

20. Fort Dodge (Iowa): 38-4 – PR: 16

21. Newell-Fonda (Iowa): 38-4 – PR: 19

22. Harrison (Ga.): 6-2 – PR: 17

23. Western Dubuque (Iowa): 35-7 – PR: 21

24. Cherokee Trail (Colo.): 4-3 – PR: 22

25. North Gwinnett (Ga.): 5-2-1 – PR: 25

Dropped out:

Broomfield (Colo.)

Eaton (Colo.)

Lee’s Summit North (Mo.)

Rock Canyon (Colo.)

Learn more about the NFCA.

NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll: Week 1

The top high school softball teams in the country for the fall season

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Nebraska’s Skutt Catholic is off to a perfect start to its season, including a 14-1 victory over in-state rival and 2020’s top-ranked team, Papillion-LaVista, to open this year’s NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll in the No. 1 spot.

Perrenial power Papillion-LaVista, which could be in a rare rebuilding position after losing 10 seniors, including Gatorade National Player of the Year Jordyn Bahl, in the offseason, is now 2-3 and unranked, after winning its first two games of 2021.

Meanwhile, reigning Georgia state 7A titlist East Coweta (8-1) is rolling again at No. 2 behind junior Jaliyah Holmes, who tossed a perfect game and fanned 17 of 21 batters in a 4-0 win over McEachern on Tuesday and is already a third of the way to the school-record 270 strikeouts she posted last season.

Elsewhere, first-time champions Fort Dodge (38-4) and Western Dubuque (35-7) are among five Iowa state titlists in the first ranking. North Linn (42-6) is also in the mix after claiming its second crown in the last three seasons.

NFCA Fall High School Top 25 Coaches Poll – Aug. 26, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record

1. Skutt Catholic (Neb.): 2-0

2. East Coweta (Ga.): 8-1

3. Omaha Marian (Neb.): 2-0

4. Hastings (Okla.): 5-0

5. Fossil Ridge (Colo.): 5-0

6. Southmoore (Okla.): 5-1

7. Coweta (Okla.): 8-1

8. Holy Family (Colo.): 2-1

9. Rock Bridge (Mo.): 0-0

10. Washington (Okla.): 13-1

11. Piedmont (Okla.): 10-1

12. Assumption (Iowa): 40-3

13. Lee’s Summit North (Mo.): 0-0

14. North Linn (Iowa): 42-6

15. Pocola (Okla.): 12-2

16. Fort Dodge (Iowa): 38-4

17. Harrison (Ga.): 16-1

18. Eaton (Colo.): 4-2

19. Newell-Fonda (Iowa): 38-4

20. Gretna (Neb.): 5-1

21. Western Dubuque (Iowa): 35-7

22. Cherokee Trail (Colo.): 2-2

23. Broomfield (Colo.): 1-2

24. Rock Canyon (Colo.): 2-2

25. North Gwinnett (Ga.): 4-2

Learn more about the NFCA.

Final USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings

The top high school softball teams in the country as of June 24.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Unbeaten eight-time Mississippi state Class 5A champion Neshoba Central completed the 2021 spring season No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

The (32-0) Rockets capped the run to their latest state crown with the second of two victories over East Central in the best-of-three championship series, 14-2, on May 14. Neshoba won the opener, 7-3, the previous day. They will start next season having won 39 consecutive games.

There was no movement this final week with only two ranked teams still playing. Both No. 8 Marist and 13th-ranked Donovan Catholic captured state titles.

Abby Dunning struck out eight and tossed a three-hitter despite her right arm cramping up due to dehydration in 90-degree heat, as Marist (38-1) beat Lincoln-Way Central, 3-1, in last Thursday’s Illinois state Class 4A final. Isabel Cunnea, Eileen Donahue and Sierra Sass drove in runs for the Redhawks, who had beaten Huntley, 1-0, in Thursday’s semifinal round.

Meanwhile, Adriana Romano hit a three-run homer with two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the seventh last Friday, as Donovan Catholic (29-1) forced extra innings before finally winning the New Jersey Non-Public A championship, 8-7 in 10 innings, over Immaculate Heart Academy. Emily Kurth’s sacrifice fly scored Alyssa Apruzzi with the winning run in the final inning to give the Griffins a second-straight state crown.

Donovan Catholic also claimed its second-straight New Jersey Tournament of Champions over the weekend with triumphs over Clayton and Livingston. Romano fanned 12 over 5.1 innings before Julia Apostolakos pitched out of a two-on, one-out jam in the sixth and retired the side in the seventh in a 3-2 semifinal win over Clayton. The Griffins then rolled past Livingston in Sunday’s final, 18-5, on the strength of a 17-run bottom of the third.

State rankings submitted by NFCA member coaches are used to compile the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25. Teams are chosen based on performance, roster quality and strength of schedule. In 2021, schools that are not competing will not be eligible for the poll.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – Final 2021 rankings

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 32-0 – PR: 1

2. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 30-2 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 49-3-1 – PR: 3

4. Park Vista (Fla.): 29-1 – PR: 4

5. Lake Creek (Texas): 38-2 – PR: 5

6. Barbe (La.): 31-2 – PR: 6

7. New Palestine (Ind.): 28-1 – PR: 7

8. Marist (Ill.): 38-1 – PR: 8

9. Keystone (Ohio): 33-1 – PR: 9

10. Byrnes (S.C.): 32-1 – PR: 10

11. Mahopac (N.Y.): 19-1 – PR: 11

12. Roncalli (Ind.): 31-2 – PR: 12

13. Donovan Catholic (N.J.): 29-1 – PR: 13

14. Barbers Hill (Texas): 42-2 – PR: 14

15. Lakota West (Ohio): 30-2 – PR: 15

16. Norco (Calif.): 27-2 – PR: 16

17. St. Amant (La.): 25-3 – PR: 17

18. Leander (Texas): 37-3 – PR: 18

19. South Warren (Ky.): 35-2 – PR: 19

20. Masuk (Conn.): 24-0 – PR: 20

21. West Stanly (N.C.): 20-0 – PR: 21

22. Stillwater Area (Minn.): 23-2 – PR: 22

23. Deer Park (Texas): 40-8 – PR: 23

24. Clear Springs (Texas): 31-2 – PR: 24

25. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 25-2 – PR: 24

Dropped out: None

Learn more about the NFCA.

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USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 16

The top high school softball teams in the country as of June 17.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Perennial national power Norco’s loss in the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section semifinals caused the only changes in this week’s USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

The (27-2) Cougars dropped in the rankings after a 7-2 playoff loss to Esperanza last Thursday. There was no other movement in the Top 25 — led by unbeaten eight-time Mississippi state Class 5A champion Neshoba Central — as most teams have already finished their season.

No. 8 Marist (36-1) gained one spot in the rankings after a pair of lopsided Illinois playoff victories. The Redhawks rolled past York, 11-1, in last Thursday’s sectional final, then routed Taft, 10-0, in Monday’s super sectional matchup. Marist faces Huntley today in the Class 4A state semis.

Mahopac (19-1) also moved up one spot, to 11th, after finishing its season with its first Section 1 crown. Notre Dame-bound senior pitcher Shannon Becker struck out 18 and freshman shortstop Ava Lichtenberger threw out a runner at home in the top of the 10th, then won the game with a walk-off single in the bottom half, as the Indians defeated North Rockland, 1-0, last Saturday. That was the end of the line for Mahopac, as New York ended its high school softball season this year at sectionals, opting not to hold the state tournament that would normally follow.

Ally Walesky hit two homers and Keagan Rothrock fanned 16 batters to power Roncalli (31-2) past Lake Central, 4-1, in the Indiana Class 4A final, and make the No. 12 Royals the first team from the Hoosier state to win crowns in three different classifications. Roncalli has won four state titles overall, capturing the state 3A crown in 2011 and claiming the Class 2A title in 1999 and 2001.

Donovan Catholic (26-1) will play Immaculate Heart Academy in Friday’s New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association non-public Group A final, after beating St. John-Vianney, 10-0, last Thursday, and St. Thomas Aquinas, 2-0, on Monday. A win would put the Griffins in the Tournament of Champions this weekend, where all the various winners compete to decide the best high school squad in New Jersey.

Elsewhere, Masuk (24-0) wrapped up an undefeated season with a 2-0 victory over St. Joseph in last Saturday’s Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Class L final, while top-seeded Stillwater Area (23-2) was stunned by unseeded Forest Lake, 8-5, in the Minnesota Class 4A quarterfinals.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – June 17, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 32-0 – PR: 1

2. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 30-2 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 49-3-1 – PR: 3

4. Park Vista (Fla.): 29-1 – PR: 4

5. Lake Creek (Texas): 38-2 – PR: 5

6. Barbe (La.): 31-2 – PR: 6

7. New Palestine (Ind.): 28-1 – PR: 8

8. Marist (Ill.): 36-1 – PR: 9

9. Keystone (Ohio): 33-1 – PR: 10

10. Byrnes (S.C.): 32-1 – PR: 11

11. Mahopac (N.Y.): 19-1 – PR: 12

12. Roncalli (Ind.): 31-2 – PR: 13

13. Donovan Catholic (N.J.): 26-1 – PR: 14

14. Barbers Hill (Texas): 42-2 – PR: 15

15. Lakota West (Ohio): 30-2 – PR: 16

16. Norco (Calif.): 27-2 – PR: 7

17. St. Amant (La.): 25-3 – PR: 17

18. Leander (Texas): 37-3 – PR: 18

19. South Warren (Ky.): 35-2 – PR: 19

20. Masuk (Conn.): 24-0 – PR: 20

21. West Stanly (N.C.): 20-0 – PR: 21

22. Stillwater Area (Minn.): 23-2 – PR: 22

23. Deer Park (Texas): 40-8 – PR: 23

24. Clear Springs (Texas): 31-2 – PR: 24

25. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 25-2 – PR: 24

Dropped out: None

Learn more about the NFCA.

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USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 15

The top high school softball teams in the country as of June 10.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Playoff results led to some slight adjustments this week’s USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25.

Unbeaten eight-time Mississippi state Class 5A champion Neshoba Central (32-0) continues to top the list, but a loss by Lakota West and Texas state championships moved Barbers Hill up and got Deer Park into the rankings this week, respectively.

Barbers Hill (42-2) won the Texas state 5A crown, while Deer Park (40-8) claimed the 6A title this past week, and Lakota West fell 4-2 to Perry in the Ohio Division I semifinals.

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 Poll – June 10, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 32-0 – PR: 1

2. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 30-2 – PR: 2

3. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 49-3-1 – PR: 3

4. Park Vista (Fla.): 29-1 – PR: 4

5. Lake Creek (Texas): 38-2 – PR: 5

6. Barbe (La.): 31-2 – PR: 6

7. Norco (Calif.): 27-1 – PR: 7

8. New Palestine (Ind.): 28-1 – PR: 8

9. Marist (Ill.): 34-1 – PR: 9

10. Keystone (Ohio): 33-1 – PR: 10

11. Byrnes (S.C.): 32-1 – PR: 11

12. Mahopac (N.Y.): 17-1 – PR: 13

13. Roncalli (Ind.): 30-2 – PR: 14

14. Donovan Catholic (N.J.): 24-1 – PR: 15

15. Barbers Hill (Texas): 42-2 – PR: 20

16. Lakota West (Ohio): 30-2 – PR: 12

17. St. Amant (La.): 25-3 – PR: 17

18. Leander (Texas): 37-3 – PR: 18

19. South Warren (Ky.): 34-1 – PR: 19

20. Masuk (Conn.): 23-0 – PR: 21

21. West Stanly (N.C.): 20-0 – PR: 22

22. Stillwater Area (Minn.): 23-1 – PR: 23

23. Deer Park (Texas): 40-8 – PR: NR

24. Clear Springs (Texas): 31-2 – PR: 6

25. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 25-2 – PR: 24

Dropped out:

Winnacunnet (N.H.)

Learn more about the NFCA.

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