Prep softball rankings: Elk Grove-St. Francis is the game of the week; Del Oro reboots

This week boils down to Elk Grove vs. St. Francis and Sutter vs. East Nicolaus. They are the two big games this week, one with league championship implications.

But first, coming off spring break is a good time to break down the league standings. The Delta and the Sierra Foothill leagues are where many of the top teams reside, but there is good competition everywhere.

The break came at a time when Del Oro was on a 14-game winning streak facing the best of the best. After being idle for 14 days, the Eagles face Folsom and Granite Bay this week. They have an 8-0 record in the Sierra Foothill League, which means they will be playing in Division I with Sheldon for the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. Folsom, at 5-2 in SFL play, has the best shot at bringing DO back to the pack. Rocklin and Whitney both have four league losses, but can beat anyone.

The Delta got interesting when Pleasant Grove, led by a couple of dangerous freshmen, made a move before the break. With Savana Newman (.541 average) and Madeline Lawson in the circle, the Eagles scratched out a run against Elk Grove for a 1-0 win. At 4-2 in league play, PG is just a game behind St. Francis and two back of Sheldon. Elk Grove, which suffered back-to-back 1-0 losses, is now 2-2 in the Delta. The Herd have a chance to pull into second-place tie when they visit St. Francis on Tuesday, which has to be the game of the week.

The other game of the week has to be Sutter at East Nicolaus. Combined records: 35-2. Small but mighty teams with NCAA Division I players. Shortstop Remmington Hewitt from East Nicolaus will go to Oregon to play softball while Sutter pitcher Riley Wickum is headed to Cal State Northridge. Several players on these two teams will be playing at the next level. Sutter rules the Butte View League while EN tops the Sacramento Valley League. Both are in the North Section, though Sutter is moving to the Sac-Joaquin Section, along with Wheatland, next year.

Sheldon has a first-round matchup against Roseville in the big Tracy tournament this weekend. St. Francis is also in the tournament, facing the top team in the powerful Tri City League, Lincoln of Stockton.

Vista del Lago is 6-0 atop the Capital Athletic League, Tayler Biehl continues to impress. Her batting average of .578 is the only offensive category in which she does not lead her team. Sophomore Gianna Davis is hitting .579. Biehl, committed to Arizona this fall, is a rare blend of slap hitter, but with power. She’s hit five home runs and has stolen 14 bases. Her glovework at shortstop is stellar. Capital Christian is a game back in the CAL and will host Biehl and Co. this week.

Ponderosa is 4-0 atop the Foothill Valley League. Sophomores Chase Mueller and Brynn Escobar are each hitting about .530. Junior pitcher Ana Niles has posted a 7-1 won-loss record and a nifty 1.14 ERA in the circle, and she’s slugged three home runs. Oakmont and Lincoln are a game back of Ponderosa. The Bruins host Oakmont and Rio Linda (2-2) this week. Oakmont’s two seniors, Lily Peterson and Madison Redinger are hitting .486 and .419, respectively, and each has five home runs.

Woodcreek, with new head coach Gary Ybarra, is challenging Roseville in the Capital Valley Conference. The Timberwolves are 3-1, right being the Tigers who are at 4-1. River Valley is also 3-1 and having a good year.

Vanden is the class of the Monticello Empire League with a 9-0 record with one round to go. Marysville is 3-0 in the Pioneer Valley League, one game ahead of Bear River and Center. At 5-0, Dixon leads the Golden Empire League, two games ahead of Pioneer.

Next Week: A look ahead at our first ever Northern California Regional Championships, which will be held May 31, June 2 and June 4.

Here’s this week’s Sacramento Bee Softball Top 20.

Send thoughts and tips to PeteBeeSports@gmail.com, or find me on Twitter, @Pete24Dufour.

The Bee’s Top 20 softball rankings

1. Del Oro (17-1)

2. Elk Grove (12-2)

3. Sheldon (12-4)

4. St. Francis (12-2)

5. Vanden (12-0)

6. Folsom (11-3-1)

7. Rocklin (11-8)

8. Roseville (12-4)

9. Vista del Lago (11-2-1)

10. East Nicolaus (16-1)

11. Pleasant Grove (9-7)

12. Sutter (19-1)

13. Woodcreek (13-6)

14. Whitney (8-7)

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, Pioneer 9-8, River Valley 11-5, Yuba City 4-9.