Tag: softball rankings

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.

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. 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.

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 – 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.

Texas Softball finishes the 2020 season ranked No. 1 in final poll

Although the season was abruptly cancelled, Texas softball can take comfort in knowing they were the No. 1 team in the nation.

What could have been. Continue reading “Texas Softball finishes the 2020 season ranked No. 1 in final poll”

She’s perfect: Miranda Elish pitches perfect game

Miranda Elish has been one of the best players in college softball all season, on Sunday morning she pitched her second perfect game.

The Texas Longhorns softball team was back in action on the final day of the Longhorns Invitational. Senior pitcher Miranda Elish took to the circle looking to keep the hot streak going for the Longhorns, winners of five straight. Elish was looking to make history for the Texas Longhorns.

The offense got off to a hot start in the first inning. The Longhorns had a 2-0 early lead and the theme of the day great pitching by Elish and error filled softball by the New Mexico Lobos. The Lobos finished with seven total errors on the day. With Tuesday DerMargosian on first, Janae Jefferson got aboard on a bunt single, a throwing error allowed Tuesday to score to make it 3-0.

Meanwhile in the circle, Elish continued to dominate with her 10 total strikeouts on the day. She retired all 21 batters faced. Her perfect day lowered her earned run average (ERA) to 1.25. This game gave Miranda Elish her 11th win on the season. Not to mention she also leads the team with 96 strikeouts.

This marked the second perfect game for Miranda Elish and the 11th in Texas history. A very fitting accomplishment on International Women’s Day.

Texas Softball ranked No. 1 in nation, two players earn Big 12 honors

Texas softball is now the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, according to Softball America’s Top 25 Poll.

Texas softball continues to dominate.

Within a span of 72 hours last week, the Longhorns took down No. 10 Louisiana-Lafayette, No. 1 UCLA and No. 2 Washington. Defeating the top two teams in the country in consecutive games is the first in program history.

After suffering a loss to unranked Fresno State shortly after, Texas bounced back to defeat the No. 13 team in the country. Junior first baseman and outfielder Lauren Burke played a critical role in each of Texas’ key wins.

She was clutch at the plate, demolishing two home runs in crucial moments to propel Texas over UCLA and Washington. Burke hit .458 (11-for-24) with five doubles, six RBIs and a 1.375 OPS. Her consistent performances earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors.

She wasn’t the only Longhorn recognized, as sophomore pitcher Shea O’Leary was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Week after going 2-0 with 11 strikeouts over 15 innings. O’Leary also tossed a complete-game shutout to defeat No. 13 Michigan.

Texas’ impressive week on the west coast was enough to earn the No. 1 spot in Softball America’s Top 25 Poll.

Texas is back at home this weekend to host New Mexico, Texas Southern and Liberty in the Longhorn Invitational.

Texas Softball secures another crucial win, defeats No. 2 Washington

Texas softball remains on an impressive hot streak, defeating three of the top 10 teams in the nation within a span of 72 hours.

Texas softball is on an incredible hot streak.

Within a span of 72 hours, the Longhorns defeated three top 10 teams in the nation. After defeating No. 10 ranked Louisiana-Lafayette at home last Tuesday, Texas went on the road to upset the highest-ranked team in the nation by defeating UCLA 6-4 in eight innings on Thursday.

How would they respond to such a crucial win? Oftentimes after an exciting thriller like this, teams may get off to a slow start as celebration lingers.

Not the Longhorns.

They responded by beating the No. 2 team in the nation less than 24 hours later. Texas took on No. 2 Washington in Fullerton on Friday night, securing an impressive 8-6 win.

Defeating the top two teams in the country in consecutive games is the first in program history. The Longhorns continue their streak of out-hitting all 20 opponents that they have faced this season.

Texas jumped up early on Washington, scoring five runs in the first inning. Junior right fielder Lauren Burke came up clutch at the plate yet again, going 3-for-4 with two runs, a double, one home run, and three RBIs.

The Longhorns started sophomore pitcher Shea O’Leary, but she quickly allowed four earned runs on three hits. Freshman pitcher Courtney Day improved to 4-0 overall by allowing only one earned run on three hits with no walks in 3.2 innings of relief. Senior Miranda Elish closed out the game.

Texas’ two losses this season came by a combined two runs.

Texas Softball: True test vs. No. 10 Louisiana, how to watch

Texas softball hosts the No. 10 team in the nation for a double-header tonight.

There’s an exciting night of softball ahead for the Longhorns.

Texas has looked absolutely dominant this season, oftentimes run-ruling their opponents. They have a 15-1 overall record, the lone loss coming from Duke by just one run.

At this point, you can make the argument that they haven’t necessarily played enough tough competition outside of that. Their blowout against then-ranked Tennessee was likely their most prominent win this season. However, Tennessee is now sitting in the No. 20 spot according to USA Today.

The Longhorns host a double-header tonight against Louisiana, the No. 10 team in the nation currently. The Rajin Cajuns have only lost three games this season by a combined total of three runs, two of those losses coming from then-ranked No. 7 LSU and No. 8 Oklahoma State.

This is an excellent opportunity for Texas to make a statement.

Here is how you watch, listen, and stream Texas Softball vs. Louisiana:

Date: 2/25/2020

Time: 4:30 p.m. CST & 7:00 p.m. CST

Location: McCombs Field in Austin, Texas

Watch: Longhorn Network

Listen: 105.3 FM & TexasSports.com/audio

Stream: Watch ESPN App

Texas Softball: Longhorns walk it off in the 9th inning

The Texas Longhorns needed some late innings heroics and a couple errors to stay unbeaten on the season.

The Texas Longhorns softball team was facing adversity for a change in their latest matchup with the North Texas Mean Green. The Longhorns fell down 2-0 very early, in fact the Mean Green scored both runs with one out. Shealyn O’Leary pitched three innings and gave up just the two runs. The offense struggled to pick up the slack for Texas.

Courtney Day came on in relief to throw two scoreless innings. Day surrounded just one hit and striking out one. She gave way for the Big 12 pitcher of the week Miranda Elish to pitch the rest of the way. Elish went four innings of shutout softball, striking out five and walking one.

On offense, the Longhorns struggled and had to scratch and claw their way back into the game. In the first Kaitlyn Washington hit a sacrifice fly to right field to bring Shannon Rhodes across the plate. North Texas pitcher Hope Trautwein pitched eight innings and gave up two runs, she got the no decision in this one.

Texas would tie the game up in the 7th inning when Camille Corona scored on a wild pitch from Trautwein. It would come down to the Longhorns in the 9th inning to remain perfect. Rhodes singled but a throwing error by North Texas allowed pinch runner Tuesday DerMargosian to come around to score to walk off in the ninth inning.

Elish improved to 5-0 on the season and Texas is now 11-0 early on in the season.

Texas Softball Jumps to No. 3 in Latest Top 25

After going a perfect 4-0 in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge this past week, UT has risen to No. 3 in the latest D1Softball top 25.

After going a perfect 4-0 in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge this past week, the Longhorns have risen to No. 3 in the latest D1Softball top 25. With their overall record at 10-0, Texas joins UCLA as the only two undefeated teams in the top 10 and are tied for the second-most wins throughout the entire top 25.

Just above the Longhorns at No. 2 are rivals Oklahoma. The Sooners jumped from No. 4, going 4-1 this past week. Oklahoma State at No. 8 and Texas Tech at No. 19 are the only other Big 12 teams ranked.

Coming up for Texas is a home game against North Texas on Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. CST. After their midweek game, they will host the Texas Invitational, as Duke, Lipscomb, North Dakota State, and Weber State will travel to Austin to participate.

Another game to look forward to is when the Longhorns will travel to Los Angeles to face the No. 1 ranked UCLA Bruins. Playing on Feb. 27, two of the top three teams in the country will be squaring off possibly for the title of No. 1 team in the country.

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Texas Longhorns Sweep Their Way Through PV Tournament

The Texas Longhorns softball team finished the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge with their perfect record intact.

The Texas Longhorns softball team swept a triple-header on Friday in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge. Texas was back on the mound for a double-header that included an exhibition match against the Mexican National Team. They dropped that game 5-4 after a wild eight inning. Texas had the bases loaded but hit into a triple-play to end that strong effort. They gave up a sac fly in the bottom of the eight for the walk-off.

In the night cap of the double-header, Texas would take on the Ole Miss Rebels. Miranda Elish took the ball and proceeded to pitch a complete game where she gave up just one unearned run in the 7th. Elish improved to 4-0 on the season giving up just three hits and striking out seven.

Kaitlyn Washington’s RBI ground out in the second got Texas on the board, Kaitlyn Slack singled to drive in Mary Iakopo to make it 2-0. In the third inning the Longhorns extended the lead to 4-0 when Iakopo single that scored two unearned runs. Texas is now 10-0 on the season and three players picked up some tournament hardware.

The Longhorns will host the North Texas Mean Green on Wednesday ahead of the Texas Invitational next weekend.