Softball rankings and notes: A new top team and storylines galore

What was the top prep softball story last week? Was it the perfect game pitched by Rylei Trujillo of Center, in which she struck out 16? Or was it the 16-strikeout no-hitter by Rocklin ace Brook Thompson against the hit-happy Herd of Elk Grove? Here’s more about nothing: Thompson and teammate Brielle Wright combined for a no-hitter a few days later. How about the back-to-back-to-back home runs by Sheldon in the top of the seventh inning to overtake previous No.1 Roseville 9-6?

Trujillo did not give up a run in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season and in one game last week she did not allow a single baserunner. The Cougars have scheduled Pleasant Grove, Sutter, Del Oro, Oakmont and Vista del Lago for uptempo nonleague competition.

SCHEDULING FUN

With no section playoffs this season, coaches are filling their nonleague schedules with great matchups against crosstown rivals and the best of The Bee’s Top 20 teams. One example is Rocklin-Elk Grove, a matchup of the previous No. 3 and No. 2 teams, respectively. The winning run was scored on the first pitch of the game when freshman Sydney Barker ripped a home run over the left field wall. Thompson, bound for Boise State, stymied a powerful Elk Grove lineup that has posted a 6-1 record already this year.

With the win, Rocklin (2-0) takes over the No. 1 slot from Roseville, which lost two games in the final inning, one to Lincoln and the other to Sheldon, The Bee’s new No. 2 team. Elk Grove slips from second to third in the rankings because of Sheldon’s (5-1) dramatic Saturday showdown at Roseville. The Huskies have speed and power, two solid pitchers and great defense. Their only loss came at Vanden, one of the top teams in the section with junior pitcher Hazy Gray fanning 14 Huskies and Sheldon uncharacteristically committing five errors.

Behind the pitching and hitting of Kennedie Magorian (headed to Grand Canyon), Oakmont put a scare into Roseville before losing 2-1. Magorian was one of four Vikings who also homered in a later win at Oak Ridge. Lincoln beat Roseville 6-5 as Laila Alves (Syracuse) homered and drove in four runs. Lincoln coach Donna Tofft schedules big: Sheldon, Elk Grove, Roseville and Rocklin.

Falcons fly

Colfax (3-1) is led by senior Sophie Smith who tops the team with a .500 batting average, seven RBIs, and added a home run last week. Her best number is probably her 4.3 GPA. As busy as Smith is, she still finds time to teach rec softball with Falcons coach Trish Chavez. After she graduates, Smith heads off to New York where she will be playing for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. When her playing days are over, she will serve five years of active duty.

THE BEE’S TOP 20

1. Rocklin (2-0)

2. Sheldon (5-1)

3. Elk Grove (6-1)

4. Roseville (1-2)

5. Vista del Lago (0-0)

6. Del Oro (1-2)

7. Lincoln (2-3)

8. Oakmont (2-1)

9. Center (1-0)

10. Pleasant Grove 3-0

11. Ponderosa 1-1

12. St. Francis 1-1

13. Sutter 2-0

14. East Nicholas 0-0

15. McClatchy 0-0

16. Folsom 1-1

17. Whitney 0-3

18. Marysville 1-0

19. Antelope 1-0

20. Granite Bay (2-0)

Bubble: Bella Vista (3-1), Casa Roble (0-0), Christian Brothers (0-0) Colfax (3-1), Cosumnes Oaks (2-0), Davis (0-1), Franklin (1-2), Inderkum (1-0), Laguna Creek (0-0), Liberty Ranch (2-1), Oak Ridge (0-2) River City (0-0), Vacaville (1-2), West Campus (0-0), Yuba City (0-0). - Pete Dufour

This story was originally published March 29, 2021 at 10:07 AM.