Prep softball rankings: Sheldon stays at No. 2 despite being forced to forfeit six games

This is unusual.

The Sheldon High School softball team started this week with a 4-8 record, but the Huskies are the second-ranked team in The Bee’s top 20.

The unusual situation comes after Sheldon forfeited six games last week. The Huskies played eight games this spring with an ineligible player. They lost two games and were forced to forfeit six more when it became clear they’d broken Sac-Joaquin Section rules.

Coach Mary Jo Truesdale explained what happened. She said in an interview last week she thought a transfer student had just a one-week sitout period. Then the section changed its rules, Truesdale said, but Truesdale and Sheldon athletic director Denise Aguilar thought the player was grandfathered in under the old rules. Truesdale and Aguilar reconsidered last week and self-reported a violation the section.

“It is what it is,” Truesdale said. “You just misinterpret the rules and that’s what happens.”

How does this affect The Bee’s rankings? Not much. Our rankings are intended to show which team would be the favorite if two teams were to play a game. The higher-ranked team should win the majority of the time. Even with the losses on its schedule and a player now sitting out, Sheldon remains a power program, as the Huskies showed in knocking off third-ranked Elk Grove last week. If teams are looking to move up the rankings, they’ll have to beat the Huskies on the diamond.

▪ Rocklin is still on top despite its 5-2 loss to Del Oro 5-2 last week. The difference in that game came down to three pitches, three home runs, two by Maddie Moore. They were the first earned runs given up by Rocklin pitcher Brook Thompson all year. Thompson struck out 11 and walked none. The Thunder’s record includes a convincing 8-1 win at Sheldon and a 1-0 topping of Elk Grove.

▪ After Sheldon learned they would have to forfeit six wins due to the use of an ineligible transfer, the Huskies battled at Elk Grove for three and a half hours before prevailing 5-2 in nine innings. Super sophomore pitchers Jaylee Ojo of Sheldon and Aissa Silva of Elk Grove both went the distance in a battle that was one for the books. On the field, the Huskies are 10-2. Elk Grove is the winningest area team with a 12-3 record. Silva struck out 11 Sheldon batters and walked only four in her nine innings of work. The Herd then bounced back with a shutout over Rio Linda.

▪ After early season losses to Elk Grove and Sheldon, Del Oro is taking off. Its win at rival Rocklin was a gem in all aspects of the game. Power, pitching and defense. Pitcher Jenna Birch attacked the zone all game, striking out seven and walking none. Del Oro also flashed the leather with three double plays and some great defensive highlights. The Eagles followed up with a win over Folsom, sparked by a seventh-inning home run from Birch. Coach Sean Erickson’s team is on a mission now.

▪ Roseville was tripped up by a talented Vista del Lago team despite a nine-strikeout performance from pitcher Malaya Johnson and a home run from catcher Lauren Mirtoni. Roseville is the class of the CVC, but will host Elk Grove Monday in a nonconference game between two top-tier programs who duck no one.

▪ The Vanden Vikings own an 11-8 win over Sheldon, but their season is coming to an end this week. Wondering out loud ... any takers for a game with this Fairfield gang?

▪ St. Francis started late and have won eight straight after a 4-2 loss to Del Oro in the opener. The strength of schedule has not been the best, but that’s about to change. Sheldon and Pleasant Grove are on the docket this week. Hope Jenkins has clocked six home runs and 25 RBIs, and twin sister Grace has added three dingers. They are hitting a combined .650 at the plate.

▪ Oakmont has convincing run-rule wins over Ponderosa and Cordova, and now the Vikings are surging. Grace Johnson is hitting .647. Pitcher Kennedie Magorian had a home run and struck out 10 in the Pondo win.

▪ Lincoln scored a big home win over Center last week. Four-team race between Center, Ponderosa, Oakmont and Lincoln for the FVL crown.

▪ Folsom lost a close one to Del Oro but the Bulldogs are the wild card in the SFL.

▪ Pleasant Grove is only 6-5 on the year but look at their schedule. The Eagles beat Center 8-0 last week. The Eagles are playing a tough schedule in a tough conference.

▪ How good does Vista del Lago want to be? Lexi Holihan kept Roseville off balance and off the scoreboard for five innings before giving up two earned runs late in the Eagles 4-2 win over the Tigers. Shortstop Tayler Biehl did her thing defensively and collected two hits at the plate in a statement win for VDL. It was sophomore Morgan Sweet with the tasty two-run tater that was the difference. The Eagles host Folsom Monday, then travel to Oakmont on Friday.

▪ Ponderosa freshman Chase Mueller leads the team with a .583 batting average. After beating Vista del Lago and then losing a league showdown to Oakmont, the Bruins will need to bear down to challenge in the FVL.

▪ Center suffered three losses last week, all to good teams. Now Del Oro, the best team on its schedule, will come to face the Cougars on Tuesday. The Pioneer Valley League title is all but a lock for pitcher Rylei Trujillo and this squad.