Prep softball rankings: A perfect setting, a perfect season as Sutter finishes undefeated

The setting was perfect on a breezy, warm Wednesday afternoon at Sutter High last week. The painted white foul lines stretched out toward the Sutter Buttes, the biggest little mountain range in the world, rising tall above the almond orchards, rice fields and ballfields of the town below.

The biggest little game in Northern California also turned out to be perfect for hometown pitcher Riley Wickum, who spun a no-hitter and hit a three-run home run against rival East Nicolaus. Sutter won 7-0 to finish the season 24-0 and run its unbeaten streak to 42 games. The loss was only the second defeat for the Spartans, who have won 21 games with two to go.

Wickum added a double and a single and Meadow Topete also homered for the Huskies. The Jolley twins, Ella and Avery, turned in good defensive plays to preserve the no-hitter.

To hear the parents and fans talk, this game had been circled on the calendar for two years. Amy Jolley, mom to Ella and Avery, said she didn’t sleep the night before the game. Alumni from both schools showed up, along with some coaches from other schools. And it was senior night for Sutter, enrollment 700.

“I’m going to miss these seniors,” said head coach Stefanie Danna.. “This is a great group of girls and they did something special this year.”

Fans stood shoulder to shoulder. An estimated 250 friends, family members, schoolmates, teachers, babies and a few dogs were there. Even the Superintendent of schools showed up. Many of the last names in attendance have been on rosters of sports teams for generations. Grandparents show up in numbers at Sutter. Emotions run high on senior day.

“Sutter Union is a school built on legacy and tradition,” said Danna, an energetic leader. She should know, she played shortstop, volleyball and ran cross country for the Huskies. Her husband Tim played soccer and baseball and is now her assistant on the softball field.

In Sutter (population 3,000), everybody knows your name. In a 10-square-block area are are about 400 modest homes, a post office, a grocery story, mini-mart, a recreation district and five churches. And then there are those 2,100-foot high Sutter Buttes. No matter where you are, there they are.

Next year, expect more of the same from this plucky team. Sutter and Wheatland will join the Sac-Joaquin Section starting this fall. The Pioneer Valley League might be a good fit for both newcomers.

Topete is moving on to play for Sierra College but Wickum, the Jolleys, Olivia Bauer and three freshman starters all return for Sutter.

Slap hits

The high school season is pretty much over and competitive travel ball has already begun, with tournaments in West Sacramento, Modesto and more. Athletes who competed against each other in high school are joining forces as members of the Lady Magic, The Sorcerers, The Breeze, The Foothill Gold or the Firecrackers, again, just to name a few. Some schools graduated Saturday morning, other commencements are scheduled during the week ahead.

With most leagues playing their final games May 21, there was still some unfinished business in the Foothill Valley League.

Oakmont exacted some revenge on Lincoln after losing at home to the Zebras in extra innings May 4. Trailing 3-0 after two innings, the Vikings scored three runs to tie it up in the top of the third. They trailed 4-3 after three innings, but the Oakmont bats exploded for nine runs in the fourth inning en route to a 16-4 win, securing an FVL co-championship with Lincoln.

Aubrey Smith pitched all five innings, and was a big part of the 13-hit attack with a home run and three RBIs. Lily Peterson also drove in three runs and was 3-for-4. Grace Johnson, Kailer Fulton and Maddie Redinger all drove in two runs for Oakmont.

In the Sierra Valley League, the season wraps up this week with Vista del Lago hoping to close out the title Tuesday against Rio Americano.

Next week will will have the all-league results, and the Sac Bee All-Metro softball team is coming soon.

The Bee’s Final Top 20 Softball Ranking

1. Rocklin (18-2)

2. Sheldon (15-8)

3. Roseville (19-4)

4. Elk Grove (18-8)

5. Del Oro (16-7)

6. Vanden (11-0)

7. St. Francis (15-6)

8. Oakmont (18-5)

9. Lincoln (18-5)

10. Sutter (24-0)

11. Vista del Lago (16-3)

12. Folsom (13-7)

13. Pleasant Grove (11-11)

14. Granite Bay (15-10)

15. East Nicolaus (21-2)

16. Marysville (17-5)

17. Ponderosa (15-6)

18. Laguna Creek (12-6)

19. McClatchy (10-7)

20. Center (7-8)

Bubble teams: Bear River (8-6), Colfax (9-8), Cordova (14-3), Cosumnes Oaks (9-8), Inderkum (13-7), Liberty Ranch (11-2), Pioneer (12-3), River City (9-6), Rodriguez (9-3), Rosemont (14-4), Vacaville (6-7), Wheatland (12-11), Yuba City (12-8).

This story was originally published June 1, 2021 at 8:03 AM.