Category: Softball

USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 2

The top high school softball teams in the country as of March 11.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Lakewood Ranch added another win to its unblemished resume to remain No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll.

The (8-0) Mustangs galloped past Charlotte, 12-0, on Tuesday, with Olivia Laney tossing four scoreless innings and Ella Coiner driving in three runs with two hits, including a homer. Coiner also struck out two in an inning of relief, while Jillian Herbst added three hits, and Faith Ross and Olivia Ryan had two hits and two RBI apiece.

Lakewood Ranch has now outscored its opponents 86-5 in 2021 and is riding a 16-game win streak since falling 3-0 to Winter Park in the 2019 Florida state Class 8A title game. Lakewood Ranch was 8-0 when COVID-19 halted its 2020 season as the No. 2-ranked team nationally and is 46-1 over the last three years. The Mustangs have four games in the next three days: Parrish Community tonight, then Doral Academy on Friday, and Trinity Christian and Gainesville back-to-back on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Alabama’s Hewitt-Trussville (13-1) remains the second-ranked team, despite dropping one of its six contests last week. Two wins were over Hoover, which has also lost to No. 19 Spain Park this season. Spain Park (10-2) hosts Hewitt-Trussville in a matchup of ranked teams later today.

Elsewhere, a showdown between top Texas squads failed to impress, with Barbers Hill rolling past Alvin, 10-0, last Thursday. The (13-2) Eagles are in the midst of a nine-game win streak and gained four places in the rankings after a 7-0 week.

Another Texas school, San Antonio Warren (11-0), won three games in the last week, behind a big effort from pitchers Annika Litterio and Haley Vinton. The duo teamed for a no-hitter against Taft last Friday, then Litterio tossed a solo no-hitter in an 8-0 victory over O’Connor on Monday and Vinton had a one-hit shutout in an 11-0 triumph over Jay on Wednesday.

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 – March 11, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 8-0 – PR: 1

2. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 13-1 – PR: 2

3. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 0-0 – PR: 3

4. Park Vista (Fla.): 9-0 – PR: 5

5. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 11-0 – PR: 6

6. Los Alamitos (Calif.): 0-0 – PR: 7

7. Norco (Calif.): 0-0 – PR: 8

8. Chino Hills (Calif.): 0-0 – PR: 9

9. Notre Dame (La.): 13-1 – PR: 10

10. Bob Jones (Ala.): 6-1 – PR: 11

11. Marist (Ill.): 0-0 – PR: 12

12. New Palestine (Ind.): 0-0 – PR: 13

13. Alvin (Texas): 12-2 – PR: 4

14. Eastern Alamance (N.C.): 0-0 – PR: 14

15. O’Connor (Ariz.): 0-0 – PR: 15

16. Crown Point (Ind.): 0-0 – PR: 16

17. Trenton (Fla.): 5-0 – PR: 19

18. Barbers Hill (Texas): 13-2 – PR: 22

19. Spain Park (Ala.): 10-2 – PR: 21

20. Cooper City (Fla.): 6-1 – PR: 17

21. Brandon (Miss.): 8-1 – PR: 18

22. North Pike (Miss.): 3-1 – PR: 20

23. Westlake (Calif.): 0-0 – PR: 23

24. Shawnee Heights (Kan.): 0-0 – PR: 24

25. Oshkosh North (Wis.): 0-0 – PR: 25

Dropped out: None.

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USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings: Week 2

The top high school softball teams in the country as of March 11.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Lakewood Ranch added another win to its unblemished resume to remain No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll.

The (8-0) Mustangs galloped past Charlotte, 12-0, on Tuesday, with Olivia Laney tossing four scoreless innings and Ella Coiner driving in three runs with two hits, including a homer. Coiner also struck out two in an inning of relief, while Jillian Herbst added three hits, and Faith Ross and Olivia Ryan had two hits and two RBI apiece.

Lakewood Ranch has now outscored its opponents 86-5 in 2021 and is riding a 16-game win streak since falling 3-0 to Winter Park in the 2019 Florida state Class 8A title game. Lakewood Ranch was 8-0 when COVID-19 halted its 2020 season as the No. 2-ranked team nationally and is 46-1 over the last three years. The Mustangs have four games in the next three days: Parrish Community tonight, then Doral Academy on Friday, and Trinity Christian and Gainesville back-to-back on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Alabama’s Hewitt-Trussville (13-1) remains the second-ranked team, despite dropping one of its six contests last week. Two wins were over Hoover, which has also lost to No. 19 Spain Park this season. Spain Park (10-2) hosts Hewitt-Trussville in a matchup of ranked teams later today.

Elsewhere, a showdown between top Texas squads failed to impress, with Barbers Hill rolling past Alvin, 10-0, last Thursday. The (13-2) Eagles are in the midst of a nine-game win streak and gained four places in the rankings after a 7-0 week.

Another Texas school, San Antonio Warren (11-0), won three games in the last week, behind a big effort from pitchers Annika Litterio and Haley Vinton. The duo teamed for a no-hitter against Taft last Friday, then Litterio tossed a solo no-hitter in an 8-0 victory over O’Connor on Monday and Vinton had a one-hit shutout in an 11-0 triumph over Jay on Wednesday.

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 – March 11, 2021

Rank | Team | 2021 Record | Previous Ranking

1. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.): 8-0 – PR: 1

2. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.): 13-1 – PR: 2

3. Neshoba Central (Miss.): 0-0 – PR: 3

4. Park Vista (Fla.): 9-0 – PR: 5

5. San Antonio Warren (Texas): 11-0 – PR: 6

6. Los Alamitos (Calif.): 0-0 – PR: 7

7. Norco (Calif.): 0-0 – PR: 8

8. Chino Hills (Calif.): 0-0 – PR: 9

9. Notre Dame (La.): 13-1 – PR: 10

10. Bob Jones (Ala.): 6-1 – PR: 11

11. Marist (Ill.): 0-0 – PR: 12

12. New Palestine (Ind.): 0-0 – PR: 13

13. Alvin (Texas): 12-2 – PR: 4

14. Eastern Alamance (N.C.): 0-0 – PR: 14

15. O’Connor (Ariz.): 0-0 – PR: 15

16. Crown Point (Ind.): 0-0 – PR: 16

17. Trenton (Fla.): 5-0 – PR: 19

18. Barbers Hill (Texas): 13-2 – PR: 22

19. Spain Park (Ala.): 10-2 – PR: 21

20. Cooper City (Fla.): 6-1 – PR: 17

21. Brandon (Miss.): 8-1 – PR: 18

22. North Pike (Miss.): 3-1 – PR: 20

23. Westlake (Calif.): 0-0 – PR: 23

24. Shawnee Heights (Kan.): 0-0 – PR: 24

25. Oshkosh North (Wis.): 0-0 – PR: 25

Dropped out: None.

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USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 softball rankings

The top high school softball teams in the country as of March 4.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Lakewood Ranch, which has one loss in the last three seasons, and is undefeated through its first seven games this year, opens No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/NFCA High School Super 25 poll.

The (7-0) Mustangs have outscored their opponents 74-5 in 2021 and are riding a 15-game win streak since falling 3-0 to Winter Park in the 2019 Florida state Class 8A title game. Lakewood Ranch was 8-0 when COVID-19 halted its 2020 season as the No. 2-ranked team nationally and is 45-1 over the last three years.

Meanwhile, Alabama’s Hewitt-Trussville (8-0) starts second in the first poll of 2021. The Huskies handled No. 15 Bob Jones, 5-1, last Thursday, and next face Hoover (8-2), which got blown out by No. 21 Spain Park, 13-3, on Wednesday.

Perennial Mississippi powerhouse Neshoba Central (season opens March 23), which was 11-0 when the pandemic halted its quest for an eighth-straight Class 5A crown in 2020, is No. 3, while unbeaten Alvin (8-0) and Park Vista (6-0) round out the top five. Alvin is scheduled to face No. 22 Barbers Hill (6-2) later today in Texas.

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 – March 4, 2021

1. Lakewood Ranch (Fla.) 7-0

2. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.) 8-0

3. Neshoba Central (Miss.) 0-0

4. Alvin (Texas) 8-0

5. Park Vista (Fla.) 6-0

6. San Antonio Warren (Texas) 8-0

7. Los Alamitos (Calif.) 0-0

8. Norco (Calif.) 0-0

9. Chino Hills (Calif.) 0-0

10. Notre Dame (La.) 10-1

11. Bob Jones (Ala.) 3-1

12. Marist (Ill.) 0-0

13. New Palestine (Ind.) 0-0

14. Eastern Alamance (N.C.) 0-0

15. O’Connor (Ariz.) 0-0

16. Crown Point (Ind.) 0-0

17. Cooper City (Fla.) 4-0

18. Brandon (Miss.) 4-0

19. Trenton (Fla.) 4-0

20. North Pike (Miss.) 3-1

21. Spain Park (Ala.) 7-2

22. Barbers Hill (Texas) 6-2

23. Westlake (Calif.) 0-0

24. Shawnee Heights (Kan.) 0-0

25. Oshkosh North (Wis.) 0-0

WATCH: Alabama softball run rules opponent with grand slam

Alabama continues their perfect season with an 0-8 win against Northern Iowa. The game was cut short after a grand slam due to the run rule.

Alabama softball is on an absolute tear. The team is 19-0 on the season and is not holding back on opponents.

In today’s matchup, the Crimson Tide faced off against Northern Iowa at home, and they did not need the full seven innings.

In a shutout game that ended with a final score of 0-8, Alabama flashed the bats.

Up by four in the bottom of the fifth inning, sophomore infielder Savannah Woodard was up to bat with the bases loaded.

With one swing of the bat, Woodard not only hit a no-doubter grand slam, but ended the game.

The Crimson Tide will face off against South Alabama tomorrow, their final game before conference play begins.

Watch Woodard absolutely crush this ball to right.

Social Media Reactions to 16-Strikeout Game from Montana Fouts

Twitter reacts to a career night for Alabama Softball pitcher Montana Fouts against Mississippi State.

Alabama softball fans were treated to a wonderful performance in the circle by junior pitcher Montana Fouts on Wednesday. Fouts struck out a career-best 16 batters, while only allowing four hits as the No. 3 Tide downed SEC-foe Mississippi State, 4-0, in a non-conference game at Rhodes Stadium in Tuscaloosa.

Fouts’ dominating game was a popular topic on Twitter.. here are some of the highlights:

Teammate Maddie Morgan was one of the first to congratulate Fouts on Twitter.

Athletic Director Greg Byrne even had to tip his cap.

Fouts impressing a Tide legend.

“The Voice of Alabama Softball” Gray Robertson weighs in.

From a coach who knows a thing or two about dominant performances…

Former All-American Pitcher and ESPN broadcaster highlighting how special Fouts’ game was.

A shoutout from her hometown.

Finally, Fouts takes a quick jab at herself.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

Download the USA TODAY SportsWire app to follow Roll Tide Wire and your other favorite teams in the Apple Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.

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Oklahoma softball lands at No. 1 in recent USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

The Oklahoma Sooners are now the No. 1 team in the country according to the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. They are currently 12-0.

There isn’t a hotter team in collegiate softball than the Oklahoma Sooners at this point in the season. They have climbed to the top spot in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches poll. They are one of four teams in the top 25 that come from the Big 12 Conference.

The Sooners have won 12-straight games to begin the 2021 campaign. In the Miner Invitational in El Paso, Texas, OU allowed just two runs in four games while scoring 70 runs. They have allowed just 14 runs in the eight games that have followed that appearance in the season-opening tournament. In that same stretch, they scored 98 total, including a 33 run outburst against New Mexico. Their second game of the year with at least 29 runs in a game.

On Friday the Sooners will participate in the Courtyard Marriott Tournament in Norman when they face off against Missouri and Sam Houston State in a double-header. There is a lot of excitement about the top softball program in the country.

The Full NFCA-USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll:

  1. Oklahoma
  2. Arizona
  3. Alabama
  4. UCLA
  5. Florida
  6. Oregon
  7. Texas
  8. Washington
  9. Oklahoma State
  10. Kentucky
  11. Arizona State
  12. Louisiana
  13. Louisiana State
  14. Duke
  15. Virginia Tech
  16. Florida State
  17. South Carolina
  18. Missouri
  19. Georgia
  20. Arkansas
  21. Michigan
  22. Central Florida
  23. Iowa State
  24. Auburn
  25. Tennessee

Maddie Penta on second no-hitter: ‘I strive to be great every time’

Auburn freshman pitcher Maddie Penta threw her second no-hitter in less than two weeks on Saturday.

It isn’t even a month into Maddie Penta’s collegiate softball career and she has already thrown two no-hitters. The freshman from Chesapeake City, Maryland says it is just the beginning.

“I strive to be great every time I take the mound,” Penta said. “I expect that of myself, and I know Coach Dean expects that of me.”

Penta’s second no-no came on Saturday against IUPUI in which she carried a perfect game into the seventh inning before issuing a walk. She struck out the first 16 batters she faced.

“I always tell people how lucky I am because of the kids I’ve gotten to coach in my career,” said head coach Mickey Dean. “You can go your whole life and not see some of the things that I have.”

Penta was named the SEC Co-Freshman of the Week on Feb. 18 after throwing a no-hitter in her Auburn debut against Southeastern Missouri.

Auburn (10-1) swept the doubleheader from IUPUI with back-to-back 5-0 victories. Penta improved to 5-0 on the season.

LSU softball defeats Central Arkansas in game one of doubleheader

LSU softball defeated Central Arkansas 3-0 on Tuesday in the first game of a double header.

The No. 13 LSU Tigers softball team is hosting Central Arkansas in a doubleheader at Tiger Park on Tuesday.

The Tigers took the first game by a score of 3-0.

With the win, LSU improves to 6-3 on the season. Central Arkansas falls to 3-6 with the loss.

Shelby Wickersham earned the start in the circle for the Tigers and started the game off with two strikeouts.

In the first inning, Amanda Doyle and Shelbi Sunseri drew walks but no runs came across the board.

LSU scored one run in the second inning as Ciara Briggs tripled then later scored on a sacrifice fly from Taylor Tidwell.

Central Arkansas threatended in the fifth inning with two runners on but Wickersham struck out a batter for the final out of the inning.

Aliyah Andrews led off the sixth inning with a hit and later scored on a single by Doyle to put the Tigers up 2-0. Georgia Clark then hit an RBI single that scored Akiya Thymes.

The Tigers shut out the Bears in the first game. Wickersham allowed four hits but no runs in the pitcher’s circle.

Alabama softball run rules top-10 ranked LSU

Alabama softball is off to yet another hot start. With a perfect record, the Crimson Tide took down LSU twice this weekend.

Alabama softball is off to a hot start to their 2021 campaign. So far, the team is undefeated through eight games, with the two recent wins coming against top-10 ranked LSU.

In Saturday’s matchup, the Crimson Tide took down the Tigers with a final score of 5-2. However, today, Alabama did not go easy on their fellow SEC West opponents. They defeated the Tigers in only five innings, with a final score of 13-5.

Junior pitcher Montana Fouts earned win No. 4 on the season, only giving up five hits and four earned runs though five innings pitched.

Kaylee Tow, Elissa Brown and Alexis Mack all scored multiple times in the contest, helping Alabama run-rule LSU.

No. 5 Alabama will next face off against UAB at home on Wednesday, Feb. 24, as they look to extend their undefeated streak.

LSU softball defeats Liberty in Easton Bama Bash

The No. 9 LSU softball team bounced back on Sunday with an 8-4 win over Liberty on two home runs from Taylor Pleasants.

The No.9 LSU Tigers softball team is in Tuscaloosa this weekend competing in the Easton Bama Bash.

On Sunday, the Tigers faced off against the Liberty Flames and won the first game of the day 8-5.

With the win, LSU improved to 5-2 on the season.

Aliyah Andrews led off the game with a hard hit double to left field. Taylor Pleasants then went yard over left field to put the Tigers up 2-0 early.

Shelbi Sunseri hit her first home run of the year to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

In the second, Liberty took Ali Kilponen deep on a two-run home run to score the team’s first two runs of the game, Then, Liberty scored another run to tie the game at 3-3.

In the top of the fourth, the Tigers answered back as Danieca Coffey hit a triple to left field that scored Kilponen to make it a 5-3 lead for LSU.

Liberty led off the bottom half of the fourth with a double. LSU brought in Sunseri to pitch but the Flames scored on an error to make it a 5-4 game.

LSU scored three runs in the sixth inning. Coffey drew a walk and later moved to second base on a single by Andrews. Pleasants hit another home run that scored both Coffey and Andrews as the Tigers took an 8-3 lead.

Liberty would score another run in the seventh to make it an 8-4 game.

Sunseri closed out the inning in the circle as LSU would hold on for a much needed win. She earned the win in the pitcher’s circle and moves to 3-1 on the season.