Prep softball rankings: Movement at the top, middle and bottom as teams make moves
Who deserves to be No. 1 this week? With seven of the top 10 teams suffering at least one loss in the last week, it’s moving day in The Bee’s Top 20.
Elk Grove picked up its first loss to rival Sheldon, and by the slimmest of margins. Del Oro has been doing monster work in the Sierra Foothill League. Vanden is undefeated. We could make a case for any of the top five teams this week. It is a tough decision. Don’t hate the rater, hate the game! While we ponder what to do, we’ll recap the biggest game of the Delta League (so far).
Showdown at Sheldon
Whenever Sheldon and Elk Grove get together on the softball field, it’s a big event. Thursday’s game was no different as pitching and defense ruled the day. When left fielder Beija Allen scooped up base hit and fired a perfect one-hopper to catcher Jaylee Marshall to tag out an Elk Grove runner trying to score from second base, it was game on.
The next inning, Sheldon’s Sakora Harvell’s second hit of the game drove in Imani Black, who had doubled. That was all pitcher Bree Romero would need for a 1-0 Sheldon victory. Romero was determined and crafty with her mix of spin, speed and location, keeping Elk Grove hitters off-balance. She gave up just four hits and walked only one batter, retiring 13 of the final 15 Herd batters to preserve the win. With staff-mate Jayla Ojo unable to pitch or hit due to a sore ankle, all the weight was on Romero’s shoulders against the mighty Herd.
Despite the pressure of Delta League title implications and the big rivalry game, Romero welcomed the challenge.
“I think it’s fun! It’s a great rivalry, biggest game of the year, and pressure is a privilege,” said the senior hurler who is uncommitted for a college home next season. “My curve and screwballs were working today.”
Sheldon coach Mary Jo Truesdale was certain it was going to be a close game and was happy to scratch out a run against Elk Grove’s brilliant pitcher Aissa Silva, who gave up five hits and struck out seven.
“I knew it was going to be a close, one-run game either way,” said Truesdale. “They’re a great team and she (Silva) is a great pitcher. Next time at their place it could go the other way.”
Sheldon also went 4-1 in the super showcase Livermore tournament over the weekend. The Huskies beat nationally-ranked St. Francis (of Mountain View) and had the tying runs on base in the bottom of the seventh before losing to East Bay power Granada of Livermore (13-1) in the championship game. The Huskies move to 11-4 on the season, and more importantly, 3-0 in the Delta. St. Francis (Sacramento), 11-1, 3-0, hosts the Huskies on Tuesday.
The loss for Elk Grove was the first of its fabulous season (12-1, 2-1), but the Herd will have another crack at Sheldon May 3 at home.
Del Oro’s only loss was to Elk Grove a month ago. Since then, the Eagles have won 14 straight, including wins over Sheldon, St. Francis, Folsom, Whitney, Granite Bay and Rocklin. The Eagles (17-1) nest for 14 days until their next game at Folsom, April 20. Kendal Manley homered in successive games for the Eagles.
Folsom had been streaking as well. The Bulldogs won six of seven, including a 7-0 shutout over Roseville in this weekend’s Stephanie LeDoux tournament. Folsom, without ace Emma Fallen available to pitch, fell to Rocklin 8-1 in the championship game Rocklin also exacted some revenge for an earlier extra innings defeat at the hands of Vista del Lago with a 3-2 win over the Eagles in the tournament. Not a bad week of work for the Thunder with five wins, and seven wins in their last eight games.
In the battle between two undefeated teams, Vanden needed two runs in their last at bat to beat visiting East Nicolaus 4-3. Both are top 10 teams. East Nicolaus hosts rival Sutter (19-1) this week.
Whitney continues to have flashes of brilliance, winning five in a row. But the Wildcats were tamed in the final two game of the Livermore tournament by St. Francis (of Mountain View) and Granada. It will be tough to keep up with Del Oro after spring break but Folsom is two games back, while Whitney and Rocklin are four back of the Eagles, who are 8-0 in SFL play.
We had perfect game pitched this past week. Ella Magda of Capital Christian did the trick in a win over Rio Americano. She struck out nine batters and issued no walks in an 11-0, five-inning game. Fifteen up, 15 down. Her teammates supported her with 13 hits. Earlier this year Hope Jenkins of St. Francis struck out 15 of the 18 batters she faced in a six inning perfecto against Pioneer.
There have been some outstanding pitching performances this year, including a 20-strikeout outing by Elk Grove’s Silva. Riley Wickum of Sutter has recorded at least 10 strikeouts in every game in which she has pitched four or more innings. Teams have managed just 5 extra base hits in 78 innings against the Cal State Northridge commit.
So enough procrastinating. It’s decision time with those rankings, the most challenging week so far this year. First, a tip of the cap to the coaches at the top for scheduling the very best non league competition they can find. Strength of schedule matters, and it builds winners.
New Leader of the Pack
Del Oro is on a roll, playing one of the best schedules and deserves to take over the No. 1 spot for the first time this year. Elk Grove moves down one notch to No. 2. To make room for resurging Sheldon, St. Francis also slid down one slot. But the Troubadours have the opportunity to make a statement over the next seven days as they play Sheldon, Pleasant Grove and Elk Grove in Delta League play.
With that, here’s this week’s SacBee Softball Spring Break Top 20. Maybe it will generate a few discussions. Send thoughts and tips to PeteBeeSports@gmail.com, or find me on Twitter, @Pete24Dufour.
The Bee’s Top 20 softball teams
1. Del Oro (17-1)
2. Elk Grove (12-1)
3. Sheldon (11-3)
4. St. Francis (11-1)
5. Vanden (11-0)
6. Folsom (11-4)
7. Rocklin (11-8)
8. Roseville (12-4)
9. Vista del Lago (11-2-1)
10. East Nicolaus (14-1)
11. Sutter (19-1)
12. Pleasant Grove (8-6)
13. Woodcreek (11-5)
14. Whitney (8-6)
15. Ponderosa (11-3-1)
16. Granite Bay (9-5)
17. Wheatland (17-1)
18. Inderkum (12-6)
19. Oakmont (11-3)
20. Marysville (10-3)
Bubble teams: Antelope 8-9, Casa Roble 11-8, Dixon 10-1, Liberty Ranch 8-1, Lincoln 6-7, McClatchy 5-2, Yuba City 4-9
This story was originally published April 12, 2022 at 9:24 AM.